Celebrity journalist and alumnus of the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus, Lesley Mofokeng, recently launched a book, The Man Who Shook Mountains: In the Footsteps of My Ancestors.

Written over three years and published by Jonathan Ball Publishers, the book explores the life of his grandfather, Mongangane Wilfred Mofokeng, a prominent Dutch Reformed Church evangelist. His grandfather built a community in the Gelukspan area in Ditsobotla, North-West after black landowners were evicted in the 1950s from the cities to live in reserves and homelands.

In the book, Lesley takes the reader through his grandfather’s journey from the Johannesburg townships of the 1930s, to his childhood home of Gelukspan near Lichtenburg, and then to the rural Free State and the mountain kingdom of Lesotho.

He also trails the tracks of his ancestors and that of King Moshoeshoe, investigating the politics and history of the Dutch Reformed Church’s black congregants and the church’s hymns, among other things.

Juggling his studies and freelance work, Lesley had to squeeze in writing sessions during his free time and weekends. However, he was determined that his busy schedule would not overwhelm his lifelong love of the written word.

“This was one of the most personal quests I had to embark on. It became spiritual as the project unfolded, and I could not abandon it. This book is a repository of family and church history that I hope will be referenced and spoken about for years to come,” he says.

This is not Lesley’s first book. He has written numerous books, including Bitch Please I’m Khanyi Mbau, Dominoes: Unbreakable Spirit – The Story of Somizi Mhlongo, Born Not Made – The Story of Matthew Molobeng, and My African Kitchen – Cookbook with Nthabiseng ‘Chef Nti’ Ramaboa. He has also edited the novel The Nothing Ones by Lebohang Nthongoa.

Leslie holds a BA and BAHons in communication from the NWU.

Lesley’s grandparents and late father in church in the 1960s. His book The Man Who Shook Mountains: In the Footsteps of My Ancestors is dedicated to their memory.

Lesley with LTK from Motsweding FM during the launch of his book in Gelukspan.