Book Launch | Lemmy Mule celebrates milestone of promoting literacy project

The renowned author and storyteller Lemmy Lilahelo Mule, popularly known for his inspirational book ‘Studying Entrepreneurship: The Winning Formula‘ had his memoir launched with plenty of luminaries, authors, academics, professors and esteemed guests present.

Mule had his book launched at the MTC Hall in Welkom, Free State on February 24 with elite guests including Lejweleputswa Mayor Veronica Ntakumbana, veteran radio personality Pontsho Makhetha , who both expressed their support for Mule’s remarkable book launch.

Mule styled in a ‘idiosyncratic shirt‘ adorned in a bright and colourful print thanked everyone for making it to his literature launching programme.

“One is grateful that the 10 book launch had tremendous impact to the guests, and is behind us. The quality of guests from across the market spectrum you may think of including academia, Doctors, Judges, Lawyers, etc. The crowd was not too big, but the quality and speeches were beyond reproach,” said Mule post the book launch event.

“We are never too late to learn how mindsets can informatively influence the universe,” Mule said.

Gathered at the MTC Hall, esteemed guests came to honour and show love to ‘Mr Mule’, and among the guests, notable people such as Reverend Lefa Mokoena, Dr M.M Tshabalala and Dr Maditsane Nkonoane formed part of the programme.

The book launch was opened with a powerful prayer by Reverend Lefa Mokoena, following the prayer, Mokoena praised Mr Mule for his milestone of jotting down ten (10) books.

At the start of the event, moderator Judge Mojalefa Ramapai made clear that, while questions were welcome, they had to be held until all speakers have spoken — to avoid “an extended press conference”. From that point, the event became a warm and relaxed celebration of Mule’s book and life.  

Rampai praised Mule for his contribution to the leadership position he chaired at the prime of his career just after South Africa acquired democracy – at a time when there were very few black people who occupied senior positions.

Mule’s book — Studying Entrepreneurship: The Winning Formula, not an autobiography, but an auto-ethnography, he said — is a thoughtful collection of anecdotes and reflections from his life. It is a call to examine some of the fundamental problems of South African society, he said during the book launch.

READ MORE: Unveiling of ’10 books’: Enthusiastic author to spark the essence of reading

Retired judge Mojalefa Rampai has described Mule as a great motivator, a disciplinarian and a great visionary.

He says it is through Mule’s selfless service to the public that many of them were able to occupy high offices both in the public and the private sector.

Dr Maditsane D. Nkonoane from Durban University of Technology – (DUT) during delivery of his keynote address said: “It is always said that we must give people their flowers while they are still alive, and I am going to do just that by asking the question: ‘Who is Lemmy Lihaelo Mule, and the Lemmy Mule I know’.”

Nkonoane said the Lemmy Mule he has known from the past, has been persistent in his insistence for order and discipline, “and that is the reason I am here today,” says Nkonoane.

“He remains one of the very few people for whom I can quickly catch an overnight bus from Durban rather than merely saying “Hei ke utlwile, le sebetse hantle, ke tla ba le lona ka moya”. Ntate Mule, you have become a role model to many of us since your days as Branch and Regional Manager of Old Mutual and Executive Owner of LM Brokers and your successive accomplishments are worthy of celebration and emulation,” said Nkonoane.

Dr Nkonoane and Judge Rampai concluded that authors should continue writing.