'A guide to those that seek wisdom.' Zimbabwean-born Matshona Dhliwayo on how, having survived homelessness, depression and alcoholism, he found the courage and the determination to write this book.

100 MISCELLANEOUS THOUGHTS is a recently published book of 100 essays by Zimbabwean-born Matshona Dhliwayo.

Divided into chapters dealing with subjects ranging from love, family and friendship to religion, politics and gratitude, the book is, according to its author, ‘a guide to those who seek wisdom’.

ReConnect Africa spoke to Matshona, now resident in Canada, about how, having survived homelessness, depression and alcoholism, he found the courage and the determination to write this book.

ReConnect Africa (RCA): Tell us about yourself and your background before coming to Canada.

Matshona Dhliwayo (MD): I am an entrepreneur/philosopher/writer. I was born in Zimbabwe not long after its independence. My father was well to do and I received a good education. I was an “A” student until the age of 14 when I discovered two vices that almost ruined my life: whiskey and wayward women. My grades began to drop, my descent into the bottle and brothels occupied my time. I hurt not only myself, but others around me.

At the age of nineteen, when Zimbabwe began experiencing political turmoil, my father bought me a plane ticket to Canada and cautioned me, as most African fathers do, to excel in my studies. To him, education was the answer to all of a man’s problems, the key to his destiny. I did not know what lay ahead; all I wanted was to leave Zimbabwe.

RCA: What have been some of the main challenges you have faced in your life so far?

MD: Homelessness in Canada, depression, alcoholism, and other addictions too shameful to mention. However, the greatest challenge by far is overcoming myself. Whatever obstacles I faced in life were not greater than my self destructive will, my lack of wisdom and my mistaking intelligence for wisdom.

RCA: What inspired you to write ‘100 Miscellaneous Thoughts’?

MD: God. As an ex-atheist, I am still shaken when I mention this, but I would not be telling the truth if I said the inspiration came from anywhere else.

RCA: How do you think your past experiences have prepared you for what you do today?

MD: I wrote a poem that will answer your question concisely:

I’ve lived in a mansion,

I’ve lived in a ghetto,

I’ve dined with aristocrats,

I’ve dined with gangsters,

I’ve saved a life and I’ve destroyed a few,

I’ve been an atheist and I’ve fought the devil,

I’ve seen light and I’ve sat in darkness,

I’ve been to the mountain top and I’ve sunk in the valley,

I’ve debated intellectuals and I’ve practiced folly.

All life teaches one philosophy.

RCA: What are the main lessons you want to teach through your book?

MD: I want people to know that wisdom is supreme, that knowledge must be acquired and that to give up on your dreams is to give up on life itself.

RCA: How does your African heritage impact on your life and teaching today?

MD: Africa, and particularly West Africa, according to prominent US proverb scholar Wolfgang Mieder, has a richer store of proverbs than most places in the world. This demonstrates the superior wisdom our ancestors had and I am proud of my heritage. I am a descendant of great men and women. In a nutshell:

I was born an African,

I will live as an African,

I learned as an African,

I will teach as an African and die an African;

God willing on African soil.

RCA: How can our readers buy a copy of the book?

MD: Readers can buy a copy of 100 MISCELLANEOUS THOUGHTS at www.100miscellaneousthoughts.com The e-book is available at amazon.com. 50% of all profits at the end of the year will be donated to orphans and a further 20% will be donated to a community center.