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The Beloved MaShenge
When Yangomuhle bumps into her new boss for the first time she has no idea who he is, her dauntless character lands her in his office, but he is not who she thought he was from the onset. He is amiable and charming, it's love at first sight for him, but is he going to be able to shuck down the hedge around her? She is stubborn as a mule, he has to pull out all the stops in order to win her heart. The journey is not easy, repugnant past is the constituent to their subdued cries, emotional instabilities and unexecuted needs of justice.
444 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 10, 2020
135 people are currently reading
1442 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
January 5, 2026
South African stories always start off so innocent and nice, you’d swear you’re reading a completely different novel by the end. Sis really said ngoba vele isiyaphila indaba awuthi nginongi, ngimalinade , ngishubise okokgcina 😂.
Every character in this book is shitty. A collective moral failure in my opinion. These are grown ass adults who should know better, yet they keep choosing comfort, denial, and tradition over accountability. The only sane person in this entire book was her father and after he passed, it showed.
And we’re just supposed to pretend like this man isn’t going to kill her and his kids? Okay. The narrative uses every excuse under the sun to dismiss his abusiveness, first it’s the disorder, then it’s Mashenge’s fault, then it’s framed as it’s because of the sacrifice. Njani? That’s where the book fails its own responsibility. Representing abuse is not the same as interrogating it. Once violence is explained away instead of explicitly named as abuse, it risks normalising it rather than exposing it.
This is why people get frustrated with South African authors platforming abuse and rape, the trauma is depicted but not processed, shown but not challenged. I’m genuinely disappointed that this part wasn’t handled with more clarity and honesty. Call a spade a spade asseblief!
That said, I’m not mad at the story at all. Like many authors in this country, Nelly Page’s storytelling is exceptional. The content and context towards the end just felt forced and fell short, but it doesn’t take away from the power of the story as a whole. But we need to do better as a country when it comes toGBV.
Every character in this book is shitty. A collective moral failure in my opinion. These are grown ass adults who should know better, yet they keep choosing comfort, denial, and tradition over accountability. The only sane person in this entire book was her father and after he passed, it showed.
And we’re just supposed to pretend like this man isn’t going to kill her and his kids? Okay. The narrative uses every excuse under the sun to dismiss his abusiveness, first it’s the disorder, then it’s Mashenge’s fault, then it’s framed as it’s because of the sacrifice. Njani? That’s where the book fails its own responsibility. Representing abuse is not the same as interrogating it. Once violence is explained away instead of explicitly named as abuse, it risks normalising it rather than exposing it.
This is why people get frustrated with South African authors platforming abuse and rape, the trauma is depicted but not processed, shown but not challenged. I’m genuinely disappointed that this part wasn’t handled with more clarity and honesty. Call a spade a spade asseblief!
That said, I’m not mad at the story at all. Like many authors in this country, Nelly Page’s storytelling is exceptional. The content and context towards the end just felt forced and fell short, but it doesn’t take away from the power of the story as a whole. But we need to do better as a country when it comes toGBV.
December 6, 2021
I completely love loved the storyline, fast paced & packed with truckloads of humor. Somehow we women all carry a trait of MaShenge in us. It’s easier to relate to this piece as we somehow have encountered some if not most of her journey. I enjoyed the themes portrayed in the book; rape, mental health, forgiveness & also the power as well devastating effects of secrets bottled up by past choices.
MaShenge finding her voice & rebuilding each other with Sosha is the highlight of it all. That love is heavy yet effortless at the same time. Overall the book is great, storyline is superb.
“..I’m not safe around any man that isn’t my father or brother. I always have to look over my shoulder. By grace I hope I don’t die in the hands of a man I married..””
“Love is stronger than fear..”
MaShenge finding her voice & rebuilding each other with Sosha is the highlight of it all. That love is heavy yet effortless at the same time. Overall the book is great, storyline is superb.
“..I’m not safe around any man that isn’t my father or brother. I always have to look over my shoulder. By grace I hope I don’t die in the hands of a man I married..””
“Love is stronger than fear..”
February 15, 2021
Everything a fantastic book should have
This book gave me a glimpse into the every day lives of people in South Africa. It made me laugh. It made me cry. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys real life stories.
This book gave me a glimpse into the every day lives of people in South Africa. It made me laugh. It made me cry. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys real life stories.
June 5, 2022
Mixed feelings
A very good story overall but felt a bit too rushed, the grammar was atrocious throughout the book. Good proofreader and/or editor will help before publishing.
A very good story overall but felt a bit too rushed, the grammar was atrocious throughout the book. Good proofreader and/or editor will help before publishing.
July 27, 2020
Good read
Want to read
April 14, 2025Best Book
October 19, 2020
Nice book
February 1, 2026
The Beloved Mashenge of course drew me in like a classic love story at first ,tender, heartfelt, and full of promise. The beginning felt like that warm chapter of a romance you wish could last forever. I was genuinely enjoying the story and invested in the characters’ journey… until it wasn’t.
Sosha Cele quickly proved to be far from the perfect man he first presented himself to be. What started as charm devolved into abuse that was framed as a disorder and that framing did not sit well with me at all. The moment he looked at Yanga’s growing belly and uttered those words? was a punch to the gut. It changed everything I thought I knew about him. That line, cold, thoughtless, and dismissive , demolished any hope I had for redemption in his character.
The cast of characters in this book is messy in all the most human ways. Yanga’s brother took justice into his own hands. It was an extreme reaction, and reading it hit hard.
Every corner of this story forced me to feel something. Frustration, anger, sorrow, empathy, and even tears. There were moments I had to put the book down and process because the weight of what was happening refused to let me skim over it. The narrative doesn’t shy away from the ugly side of love and relationships. It dives into it, and that is both its strength and its challenge.
Ultimately, The Beloved Mashenge is not the fairy-tale love story I expected.
An incredible, feel-everything read that stays with you long after you’ve closed the book.
Sosha Cele quickly proved to be far from the perfect man he first presented himself to be. What started as charm devolved into abuse that was framed as a disorder and that framing did not sit well with me at all. The moment he looked at Yanga’s growing belly and uttered those words? was a punch to the gut. It changed everything I thought I knew about him. That line, cold, thoughtless, and dismissive , demolished any hope I had for redemption in his character.
The cast of characters in this book is messy in all the most human ways. Yanga’s brother took justice into his own hands. It was an extreme reaction, and reading it hit hard.
Every corner of this story forced me to feel something. Frustration, anger, sorrow, empathy, and even tears. There were moments I had to put the book down and process because the weight of what was happening refused to let me skim over it. The narrative doesn’t shy away from the ugly side of love and relationships. It dives into it, and that is both its strength and its challenge.
Ultimately, The Beloved Mashenge is not the fairy-tale love story I expected.
An incredible, feel-everything read that stays with you long after you’ve closed the book.
April 16, 2025
Beloved Mashenge
Beloved Mashenge is a refreshing, laughter-filled journey through the everyday life of a resilient, witty protagonist navigating the chaos of family, community, and identity. What makes this book truly shine is its incredible relatability—the kind that makes you nod, laugh out loud, and say, “That’s so me” or “I know someone just like that!”
The humor is never forced. It bubbles naturally from the characters’ quirks, the clever dialogue, and the author's sharp observations of real-life situations. Whether it's awkward neighborhood drama, generational clashes, or the hilarious mishaps of daily hustle, Beloved Mashenge delivers it all with charm and heart.
Underneath the humor lies an authentic exploration of culture, relationships, and self-worth. It's a feel-good read that manages to be both thoughtful and thoroughly entertaining.
Perfect for anyone who enjoys stories that reflect real life with a chuckle
Beloved Mashenge is a refreshing, laughter-filled journey through the everyday life of a resilient, witty protagonist navigating the chaos of family, community, and identity. What makes this book truly shine is its incredible relatability—the kind that makes you nod, laugh out loud, and say, “That’s so me” or “I know someone just like that!”
The humor is never forced. It bubbles naturally from the characters’ quirks, the clever dialogue, and the author's sharp observations of real-life situations. Whether it's awkward neighborhood drama, generational clashes, or the hilarious mishaps of daily hustle, Beloved Mashenge delivers it all with charm and heart.
Underneath the humor lies an authentic exploration of culture, relationships, and self-worth. It's a feel-good read that manages to be both thoughtful and thoroughly entertaining.
Perfect for anyone who enjoys stories that reflect real life with a chuckle
October 27, 2024
A page turner 😍
Yangomuhle is such a vibe, really. I laughed till the ending.
I'm glad that Sosha found someone like Yanga. As crazy as he was but he deserved some loving too. Before he could tell her of his condition, I had already concluded that there was something wrong with him. He is quite an interesting character.
Sosha's father is a real pain in the a**, another one that bored me was MaJali. How do you not protect your own daughter?
I love books that teach about mental health and depression. We normally shy away from this, and the reality is that most people suffer from it.
Yangomuhle is such a vibe, really. I laughed till the ending.
I'm glad that Sosha found someone like Yanga. As crazy as he was but he deserved some loving too. Before he could tell her of his condition, I had already concluded that there was something wrong with him. He is quite an interesting character.
Sosha's father is a real pain in the a**, another one that bored me was MaJali. How do you not protect your own daughter?
I love books that teach about mental health and depression. We normally shy away from this, and the reality is that most people suffer from it.
October 26, 2025
YOH!
It was such a promising love story. One thing Nelly will do, she will educate us about mental health. I enjoyed the wit and the humour, it really carried the book.
I feel like Sosha got away with so much. I understand his disorder and stuff, but damn accountability was not taken sometimes. I loved him though, I loved hw vulnerable he was.
I wish there was a resolution to the Bab' Cele story. I was not fulfilled. It felt rushed, but im comforted by the thought that there is a book two, maybe I'll get the answers I want.
Overall, it was lovely. Dramatic yes, but very cute, very funny too.
Thank you Nelly!
It was such a promising love story. One thing Nelly will do, she will educate us about mental health. I enjoyed the wit and the humour, it really carried the book.
I feel like Sosha got away with so much. I understand his disorder and stuff, but damn accountability was not taken sometimes. I loved him though, I loved hw vulnerable he was.
I wish there was a resolution to the Bab' Cele story. I was not fulfilled. It felt rushed, but im comforted by the thought that there is a book two, maybe I'll get the answers I want.
Overall, it was lovely. Dramatic yes, but very cute, very funny too.
Thank you Nelly!
December 24, 2024
This is by far one of the most amazing books I've ever read. There was so much emotion put into this that it shows exactly how effortlessly, yet unrepeatable the writing style is. Its authenticity in telling a typical rags-to-riches story is truly astonishing, it made the book worth reading to the end together with its predictability. It is ironic that the predictability proved to be essential rather than exhausting, that kind of creativity is applaudable. Well-done, Ms. Nelly.
January 15, 2025
This book is not my typical go-to. But boy am I glad I went for it. I love the author tells stories. She makes characters realistic and relatable. Not always in the best way (ahem, going back to a man with red flags galore) but in a way that is true to life.
Also...
Mmeli deserved better. I didn't know him for long but he deserved so much better.
Also...
Mmeli deserved better. I didn't know him for long but he deserved so much better.
May 21, 2022
Got my attention
I enjoyed the story felt connected to the lead character.in thar she suffered very real situat
ions and appears to have prevailed. Hope there is a book two to explain the ending
I enjoyed the story felt connected to the lead character.in thar she suffered very real situat
ions and appears to have prevailed. Hope there is a book two to explain the ending
October 1, 2022
Beloved Mashenge has become one of my favourite books of all times. From a great storyline, the content, the humour. The author happens to be one of my favourite people in the world, so her delivering one of my new favourite books has made her really special❤️
September 22, 2024
Absolutely loved it
Absolutely loved MaShenge's character. She is not without fault but through everything she remained herself and didn't forget her family. Also her character is hilarious.Would definitely recommend it.
Absolutely loved MaShenge's character. She is not without fault but through everything she remained herself and didn't forget her family. Also her character is hilarious.Would definitely recommend it.
January 21, 2021
Our Ndulinde dramatic queen 😍😍 10/10 recommend. Such a beautiful piece
February 5, 2021
I loved the storyline. I love Yanga more
Read
November 24, 2021The cliff hangers though! It was a page turner. Full of twists and turns. Lovely.
September 3, 2022
Love the book, very interesting.
September 19, 2022
I recommend
It took a long time to read this book after I bought it but when I eventually did I couldn’t put it done. I strongly recommend it.
It took a long time to read this book after I bought it but when I eventually did I couldn’t put it done. I strongly recommend it.
June 14, 2024
Great book
June 20, 2024
Masterpiece
Currently reading
June 27, 2024Can anyone please help, i want to read this book but when i click "want to read" button it's not showing anything
September 17, 2025
Beautiful concept , it’s just ends ? Too much thoughts going on was hard to keep up (why are we sounding thoughts and drifting away . took a while to get used to !!!
Currently reading
November 19, 2025good
October 18, 2020
Rated it
June 14, 2021
Worth reading. If you want to laugh i recommend this one but it's not all fun. There is a lot you can take away from this one.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews