In an era where dating feels more like a high-stakes game of chance than a pursuit of genuine connection, South African sangoma and author Nokulinda Mkhize is reclaiming the wisdom of generations.
Her second book, “Kitchen Wisdom”, is a heartfelt guide that aims to equip women with the ancient lessons necessary for navigating the complicated waters of modern romance.
Set to be officially launched on Saturday, February 15, at Book Circle Capital in Johannesburg, the book comes at a perfect time as it coincides with Valentine's weekend, which is filled with mixed emotions related to love and relationships.
As an integral coach and advocate for blending traditional wisdom with contemporary life, Mkhize draws inspiration from her 17 years as a sangoma.
She has observed a distressing trend over the years: many women are caught in a tug-of-war between ambition and the desire to nurture romantic partnerships.
“Women are complaining that ‘amadoda awayekeki’ (men are irresistible), but simultaneously, modern romance is bringing them enormous pain and heartache,” Mkhize explains.
Her observations highlight a profound truth: while societal norms have transformed, the emotional currents that drive human relationships persist unchanged.
Mkhize states, “Just because we are modern in our lives does not mean our hearts are modern in their feelings.”
Thus, “Kitchen Wisdom” serves as a bridge connecting the wisdom of our mothers, aunties, and grandmothers with today's dating dilemmas.
Readers will find practical, straightforward advice aimed at empowering women to approach their love lives with clarity in the book.
With chapters addressing fundamental principles such as “Never Chase A Man” and “Do Not Do Wife Things Before You Are The Wife”, Mkhize warns against the distractions presented by “Fake Friends and Frenemies”.
This wisdom is particularly touching at a time when the support networks among women can often be undermined by unhealthy competition.
Mkhize champions the notion that nurturing strong relationships with other women is vital to fostering a balanced perspective on romance.
“Kitchen Wisdom ultimately reminds us that strong relationships with other women are complementary and necessary in having a balanced view of romance,” she asserts.
For anyone feeling disillusioned by today’s fickle dating scene, the book presents itself not only as a blueprint for restoring confidence in romantic pursuits but also as a celebration of the resilience and support women can offer one another.
By focusing on emotional health and community, Mkhize’s book is positioned as an essential read for women ready to embrace love both intelligently and intuitively.
Mkhize invites those intrigued by her work to delve into a narrative that marries personal experiences with time-honoured relational principles.
As she puts it, this book is “a compass for romance and a tribute to the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood”.
With her debut book, “Ancestory: Ancient Lessons for Modern Life”, having garnered acclaim when it was released in 2022, Mkhize is expected to make waves again with an evolving narrative as an author and coach.
∎ “Kitchen Wisdom” is available for R270 at Book Circle Capital and on Amazon.