Marcia Ramodike
Nominee's Province:
Limpopo
Age:
27
Project Name/Description:
Publisher – Evelyn50
Marcia Ramodike became an author at the age of 19 when she released her first book, From An Empty Pride To a Full Price. The BA Forensic Science and Technology graduate started her publishing company, Evelyn50, when she was 24. The decision to become a publisher was informed by her desire to do more in the literature space. Ramodike attended writing and publishing workshops hosted by the Department of Arts and Culture in Limpopo. Thereafter, she was ready to take off. However, the journey wasn’t easy, as Ramodike reveals that she only had her first client a year later. But her dedication finally paid off, resulting not only in successful publications but awards as well. Ramodike was named among the 2023 Sunday World Heroic Women, M&G Top 200 Young South Africans and 100 Young Mandelas, among others. Moreover, she was invited by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture as a judge at the inaugural Cultural and Creative Industry Awards. From this experience, Ramodike is impressed that for once since the advent of democracy, literature has taken up space. “Back then, only music, sports and careers like acting were taken seriously. Books were not considered at all. That’s why most black people still believe that being a publisher or an author is for other races and not for us.”
