Sarah Iyaloo Negumbo shines a light on left-handedness through literature
An author celebrates difference as a source of strength
When Sarah Iyaloo Negumbo stepped forward to launch her debut book, 'So, You Are Left-Handed? The Mixed Wrap of Left-Handedness', she did more than present a literary work – she introduced a personal experience shaped by curiosity, identity and a lifelong desire to understand the world from a different angle – the left-handed angle.
Born in Iishanaputa in northern Namibia, Sarah currently serves as the Director of the Namibia Library and Archives Service.
Her academic credentials span institutions across Southern Africa, with qualifications from the Namibia University of Science and Technology, the University of Cape Town, and Stellenbosch University. Although her career is rooted in public information management, writing was a passion she discovered later in life and embraced with humility, humour and determination.
Pride and inclusion
At the official book launch in Windhoek on Thursday, Sarah shared how the project was born from her own lived experience as a left-hander navigating a right-handed world. She reflected on childhood frustrations, skewed notebooks, misplaced pens and the awkward dance of using everyday tools not designed for people like her.
Those experiences, she says, inspired her to explore left-handedness as both a scientific curiosity and a social phenomenon.
The book unpacks a range of themes: the myths and misconceptions that have shaped attitudes toward left-handers, the resilience built from navigating structural inconveniences, and the brilliance of prominent left-handed thinkers, artists and leaders throughout history.
She also uses the book to celebrate International Left-Handers Day, an annual reminder of inclusion and pride for a community often overlooked.
Difficult but rewarding
However, the road to publication was far from straightforward.
Sarah openly recounted the challenges of being a first-time author. She honed her writing skills through workshops at the Goethe-Institut and later at the 2023 Literary Festival, co-hosted with the Directorate of Arts.
What began as a 50-page manuscript grew into a polished work through countless rewrites and the mentorship of her publisher, Samuel Mayinoti of Africa Blossom Publishers. She admits the process required patience, perseverance and many late nights, but the final product made every moment worthwhile.
Sarah’s debut marks the beginning of her writing career rather than a self-contained achievement. With a second book already conceptualised, she intends to build on the confidence and creative discipline developed through this first literary venture.
An examined life
Beyond her authorship, Sarah is passionate about mentorship and youth development, especially helping young people find direction in their career paths. She is equally drawn to exploring diverse cultures and spends her leisure time reading and travelling with her family – pursuits that continue to shape her worldview and storytelling lens.
'So, You Are Left-Handed? The Mixed Wrap of Left-Handedness' stands not only as a celebration of left-handedness but also as a testament to Sarah’s belief in embracing one’s difference as a source of strength.
Her work reminds readers that identity, in all its forms, is something to honour and sometimes, even write a book about.
[email protected]
Born in Iishanaputa in northern Namibia, Sarah currently serves as the Director of the Namibia Library and Archives Service.
Her academic credentials span institutions across Southern Africa, with qualifications from the Namibia University of Science and Technology, the University of Cape Town, and Stellenbosch University. Although her career is rooted in public information management, writing was a passion she discovered later in life and embraced with humility, humour and determination.
Pride and inclusion
At the official book launch in Windhoek on Thursday, Sarah shared how the project was born from her own lived experience as a left-hander navigating a right-handed world. She reflected on childhood frustrations, skewed notebooks, misplaced pens and the awkward dance of using everyday tools not designed for people like her.
Those experiences, she says, inspired her to explore left-handedness as both a scientific curiosity and a social phenomenon.
The book unpacks a range of themes: the myths and misconceptions that have shaped attitudes toward left-handers, the resilience built from navigating structural inconveniences, and the brilliance of prominent left-handed thinkers, artists and leaders throughout history.
She also uses the book to celebrate International Left-Handers Day, an annual reminder of inclusion and pride for a community often overlooked.
Difficult but rewarding
However, the road to publication was far from straightforward.
Sarah openly recounted the challenges of being a first-time author. She honed her writing skills through workshops at the Goethe-Institut and later at the 2023 Literary Festival, co-hosted with the Directorate of Arts.
What began as a 50-page manuscript grew into a polished work through countless rewrites and the mentorship of her publisher, Samuel Mayinoti of Africa Blossom Publishers. She admits the process required patience, perseverance and many late nights, but the final product made every moment worthwhile.
Sarah’s debut marks the beginning of her writing career rather than a self-contained achievement. With a second book already conceptualised, she intends to build on the confidence and creative discipline developed through this first literary venture.
An examined life
Beyond her authorship, Sarah is passionate about mentorship and youth development, especially helping young people find direction in their career paths. She is equally drawn to exploring diverse cultures and spends her leisure time reading and travelling with her family – pursuits that continue to shape her worldview and storytelling lens.
'So, You Are Left-Handed? The Mixed Wrap of Left-Handedness' stands not only as a celebration of left-handedness but also as a testament to Sarah’s belief in embracing one’s difference as a source of strength.
Her work reminds readers that identity, in all its forms, is something to honour and sometimes, even write a book about.
[email protected]
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