Author Thomas Ishmael 'Mr Speaker' Ramalekana, is set to launch his third book, 'Ebola of Success'. He says he is a motivational speaker of no compare and he hopes his books will inspire readers to overcome their obstacles in reaching their dreams. Photo: Supplied

POLOKWANE He began writing books when he was studying at the University of Venda (Univen) but he was unable to have his works published due to financial constraints.

A forensic analyst with the polices criminal record and crime scene management in Thabazimbi, he holds a B.Sc degree in microbiology and botany from Univen. He completed his masters degree in forensic investigations at the University of Pretoria.

My goal as a writer is to be the best African motivational speaker the world has ever seen. My motivational style is unique and cannot be compared to your run-of-the-mill motivational speaking. I call it a gift from heaven and I always pray to God to push me in my writing style. I want every line to be occupied with anointing from above. You cannot read my books and still see poverty as an obstacle which will keep you from achieving your goals. You will develop a no-surrender mentality and never allow the thought of giving up to gain a foothold in your life, he said.

Mr Speaker said he was motivated by the situation he found himself in when growing up.

I did not want other people to go through what I went through, feeling limited by my humble background. I want people to have confidence in what they do and never surrender or give up. Writing involves a lot of research and good analysis of things and I believe education is the only instrument which can help you as you prepare yourself in this life so I say youth arm yourself with knowledge. Failure to prepare is preparing to fail. Treasure life and life will treasure you; remember life cannot put you under any more pressure than you are able to endure. Think expensive and be able to double click your associations. Chickens attract chickens and my advice to you is to think like an eagle and be in the company of innovative thinkers. Never allow defeat to be a full stop in your life because there is an expiry date for every problem, he said.

He told BONUS the late Dr Myles Munroe is one of his biggest motivators and he was inspired by his intellectual wisdom when writing the books.

I think I have mastered the art of motivating from the heart as I believe motivation is something that comes from within. I was also encouraged by Prof Leketi Makalela at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits). He is gifted in speech and very humble. Most of the people who motivate me are great articulate speakers and politicians. I am learning from Mogoeng Mogoeng and Dr Somadoda Fekini and I do my best to see all their interviews.

Starting out as a writer, he added, was not an easy journey, especially because he was not known in the writing fraternity.

I had to brand myself and now my books are doing well. Patience is a virtue. I love reading books and newspapers and that inspired me to put pen to paper myself. One of the biggest challenges I came across in the industry was finding a publishing company, especially if you are in need of funding. You need to have enough money to start as a self-published author. I managed to fund my own projects and the support I got from my family kept me going. Ebola of Success is dedicated to my mother, Mosibudi Selinah Ramalekana, who managed to send me to university using money from fruits she sells as street vendor in Tzaneen, he concluded.

editor@nmgroup.co.za

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Motivation is the order of the day for Mr Speaker - Bosveld Review