About the Book
Zephra Vaan walks the fragile boundary between memory and identity. As Mnemonic, she possesses the rare and terrifying ability to access, store, and rewrite memories-her own and others'. A living archive, Zephra can slip into a person's mind, unearthing buried truths or planting false recollections with surgical precision. In interrogation, she is unmatched, peeling away mental defenses like old wallpaper.
In espionage, she can erase an encoun-ter, manipulate loyalties, or steal information without a trace. But the deeper she delves, the more blurred the lines become. With every mind she touches, fragments of their expe-riences cling to her-emotions, traumas, desires. This "identity bleed" has become her greatest threat. Zephra often awakens unsure of where her own life ends and someone else's begins. She journals obsessively to anchor herself, writing down who she is, where she's been, and what's real.
Her voice is poetic, detached, and haunted-viewing memory not as a tool, but as a sacred thread that de-fines existence. She navigates the mind like a labyrinth, knowing one wrong step could unravel her completely. Still, she chooses to wield her gift, not for power, but to protect truth-however elusive it may be. In a world ruled by perception, Mnemonic is the ulti-mate gatekeeper.
About the Author :
Christopher Thabani Mandawa is a Zimbabwean-born author and construction professional whose life bridges physical creation and intellectual inquiry. From construction sites in Cape Town to books read across Africa and beyond, his work reflects a commitment to building both structures and ideas.
Raised in Zimbabwe, Mandawa grew up amid the tensions of post-colonial society, where hardship coexisted with resilience and hope. His family instilled in him discipline, curiosity, and the belief that education is a tool of liberation. An early love for books shaped his fascination with history, politics, religion, and the human condition.
He later moved to South Africa, studying Building and Civil Engineering at Northlink College and the College of Cape Town. With additional training in AutoCAD, construction safety, and lean construction, he built a solid technical foundation. Beginning his career as a Site Clerk, he spent nearly a decade managing projects and coordinating teams before advancing in 2024 to Junior Construction Foreman in Cape Town, overseeing projects from conception to completion.
Alongside construction, Mandawa pursued his calling as a writer. He has published over 100 books across fiction and non-fiction. His non-fiction explores sociology, psychology, politics, Pan-Africanism, governance, and post-colonial critique, challenging dominant narratives and encouraging critical thought. His fiction reflects African identity, migration, love, struggle, and resilience, giving voice to lived experiences often overlooked.
Mandawa sees construction and writing as complementary disciplines: one builds the external world, the other shapes the internal. Both demand vision, patience, and collective effort. His philosophy is rooted in Pan-Africanism and liberation-economic, mental, and political.
Despite facing the challenges of migration, identity, and limited opportunity, resilience has defined his journey. Looking ahead, he aims to merge his passions through initiatives that combine infrastructure development with education and empowerment.
Christopher Thabani Mandawa seeks to leave a legacy measured in both concrete and ideas-homes that stand firm and minds that think freely-contributing to Africa's progress and future.
