"A Literary Force: The Inspiring Journey of Busisekile Khumalo, Self-Published Author and Entrepreneur"
Busisekile Khumalo is a woman who wears many hats: a mother, a wife, an author, and a businesswoman. She has made remarkable strides in her career since she began publishing in 2017. Over the past seven years, she has published ten books and achieved national bestseller status, selling over 6,000 copies of her debut book, The Harvard Wife, in South Africa and on Amazon. Her work has amassed over 300,000 page reads on KNDP from 2020 till today.
Yet, she defines herself by much more. Known for her larger-than-life personality, Busisekile’s laughter fills the rooms she enters, although she admits to being a social introvert at heart. This paradox is part of what makes her relatable and intriguing. Fluent in sarcasm and with a touch of dark humour, Busisekile is deeply loyal to her tribe and loves deeply, embodying the vibrant and chaotic energy that drives her career and personal life.
Busisekile’s journey to becoming a self-published author was born out of a low point in her life. At the time, she was working as a cashier at Steers while her peers were registering as legal practitioners. “I started jotting in my notebook about the kind of woman I envisioned myself being in 10 years,” she recalls. That simple act of writing down her dreams turned into something much bigger: the creation of her first character, Nompumelelo Ndinisa, and the birth of her debut book, The Harvard Wife.
At first, Busisekile doubted her ability to become an author, despite encouragement from friends. Her first 100 copies sold out within five days, affirming her talent. The overwhelming response, especially from women who saw themselves in her work, gave Busisekile the confidence to pursue writing full-time. This personal connection with her readers, she says, gave her a new purpose in life.
Balancing the demands of writing, motherhood, and being a wife is not an easy task for anyone and Busisekile is no exception. “My day starts anytime from midnight,” she shares. As an insomniac, the quiet hours of the night become her creative sanctuary. Her day consists of responding to emails, planning social media content, signing books, and handling the logistical demands of being an entrepreneur.
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Despite her busy schedule, Busisekile finds inspiration everywhere, from conversations with strangers to childhood memories and even social media platforms like TikTok. Her greatest inspiration, however, comes from her daughter, Thingo, who motivates her to become the best version of herself.
Busisekile’s decision to self-publish stemmed from a desire to retain control over her intellectual property. However, the journey hasn’t been without its challenges. In the early days, everything that could go wrong did—late deliveries from printers, unpaid work from bookstores, and the daunting task of selling her first 250 copies without any distributor or bookstore backing.
One of the most challenging moments in her career was when CNA (a South African retail chain specialising in stationery and books) filed for bankruptcy, leaving Busisekile with R75,000 worth of unpaid books. Despite the setbacks, Busisekile’s resilience has seen her through. “Like every small business, self-publishing is hard,” she admits, but her love for her craft and her readers keeps her going.
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As a self-published author, Busisekile essentially runs her own business. From production oversight to quality control, marketing, and managing finances, she does it all. “Whatever needs to be done, I get it done,” she says. Despite the challenges, she remains hopeful that her hard work will pay off, and she dreams of the day she can delegate some of her duties and focus more on writing.
One of Busisekile’s proudest achievements is the impact her work has had on other authors. Through her consultancy, she has helped authors like Yvonne Maphosa and Simphiwe MaKhumalo Molaba establish their publishing careers. “I love books, I love my work, and being financially fluid through my passion is my biggest flex,” she proudly states.
Looking ahead, Busisekile has big plans. She aims to take her writing to the international publishing market, with aspirations for a film adaptation deal with platforms like Netflix or Showmax. Her company, now an established business, will continue to focus on telling African stories that challenge stereotypes and put African culture on the global stage.
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Busisekile hopes to partner with tourism entities to expand her writing career. Her vivid descriptions of destinations like The Twelve Apostles Hotel and the Sabi Sands franchise have left readers wanting to visit these places, turning her passion for storytelling into a potential avenue for tourism collaboration. She even opened a Bumi Hills Girls trip group on WhatsApp after her readers fell in love with the Kariba resort when she wrote about it in Sunshine and Shadows. Sadly, that trip did not make it out of the WhatsApp group, but it showcased her ability to inspire travelling and the lively engagement her writing has sparked.
“Research is your friend. Treat your writing as a career, even when it’s part-time.”
Busisekile’s accolades include a nomination for the Zimbabwe Achievers Awards in 2023, a publishing deal with Kwela Books, an imprint of NB Publishers, and appearances on notable platforms like the Good Morning Show, ENCA News, Daily Thetha, and uKhozi FM. As a respected orator, she has participated in numerous book fairs, including the Franschhoek Literary Festival, Open Book Festival, Kings Mead Book Fair, Johannesburg Women Writers Festival, and Gauteng Literary Festival.
For aspiring authors, Busisekile’s advice is simple yet profound: “Research is your friend. Treat your writing as a career, even when it’s part-time.” She emphasises the importance of being prepared for disappointment and learning from mistakes. Above all, she advises writers to respect their craft and their readers. Aspiring writers can also book a publishing consultation session with Busisekile on www.busisekilekhumalo.com to gain personalised insights and guidance on their publishing journey.
With her infectious energy, remarkable resilience, and relentless passion for storytelling, Busisekile Khumalo is not just an author but a force to be reckoned with in the literary world. Her journey is far from over, and with dreams of global recognition and cinematic adaptations, the best is yet to come.
