FunDza has run a special project working with five young emerging writers based in the Western Cape to produce writing to a professionally high standard that was published on FunDza. Each ‘mentee’ was paired with a professional writer as a mentor. These five pairs had to produce two short stories that were linked in some way together. These were published on FunDza’s mobi network between October and December 2013. The ten stories will also be published in a print anthology, entitled It takes TWO!

The pairs of writers were:
Mzimkhulu MacKenzie and Helen Brain
Asavelo Peko and Sonwabiso Ngcowa
Jean-Paul Willemse and Maire Fisher
Zikhona Gwadiso and Michelle Faure
Phoebe Sibomana and Joanne Hichens

FunDza extends a big thank you to the National Arts Council for its support in funding this special project. FunDza looks forward to running similar writing projects in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal over the forthcoming two years.

***

Here are summaries and links to the stories that were produced through the project:

The Red Necklace by Mzimkhulu MacKenzie
Sipho dreams of buying his girlfriend Karabo a beautiful necklace that she admires in a shop window. But how will he come up with the money before Valentine’s Day? The necklace is expensive and there is no way he can afford it – unless…

Sister Trouble by Helen Brain
When Thabi brings her teenage sister, Lusi, to Cape Town to live with her she has no idea of the trouble her sister will cause. Soon her selfishness starts to push everyone to the limit…

Among the Stars – Part 1 by Jean-Paul Willemse
Peter Cho is house-sitting. On a night walk a desperate girl begs him for help. She is beautiful but filthy. She tells him a shocking story but can he help her?
This story is also available in Afrikaans: Tussen Die Sterre – Deel 1

Among the Stars – Part 2 by Maire Fisher
Charlene can’t get Peter Cho or his story out of her mind. Why had Melissa come back? What did she want from him? And what secrets could the house next door be hiding? (This is the sequel to Among the Stars.)
This story is also available in Afrikaans: Tussen die Sterre – Deel 2

Truth or Dare by Zikhona Gwadiso
Andisiwe leaves PE for the bright lights of Cape Town. She is blown away by Cape Town’s beauty and her Aunt Mimi’s world of fashion. And then, just when things couldn’t get better, she meets handsome Thabo…

Second Time Lucky by Michelle Faure
Andisiwe loves the city but she has already made a couple of bad decisions. Has she finally learnt some important decisions about men, and struck it lucky second time round? Can Jacob help Andisiwe to forget about Thabo, or is it too soon for Siwe to even be considering another man? (This is the sequel to Truth or Dare.)

Damage by Sonwabiso Ngcowa
Sabelo is angry with his mother and sister, and joins a gang in search of a place he can call home. But when Lwando takes over the gang he brings in a new rule: initiation – like it or not…
This story is also available in isiXhosa: Umonakalo

Free at Last by Asavela Peko
Sabelo is in prison awaiting trial for rape. His sister, Nonyaniso, has left the village in search of a new life. But she holds a dreadful fear in her heart. Who raped her that dark night? She can’t remember… (This is the sequel to Damage.)
This story is also available in isiXhosa: Ndikhululekile Ekugqibeleni

Torn Apart by Phoebe Sibomana
How far would you go to save someone you love? Separation seems to be Sam’s fate after being torn apart from his sister. Then Sam is granted a second chance at happiness – but for how long?

Payback by Joanne Hichens
Sam has had to borrow money to rescue and support his sister but his plan to repay Bra Frank has gone terribly wrong. Not only has Frank stolen money from Sam’s employer – he has also kidnapped his girlfriend, Zinhle. When Sam finds out that his sister too is in danger he is desperate to rescue them. But he can’t do it alone… (This is the sequel to Torn Apart.)