EDITORIAL
Tsitsi Nomsa Ngwenya
We welcome you to our bubbling newsletter with
nothing much gratitude. Always, we find
you patiently waiting for this newsletter to ‘happen’. Truly, this love is not common. Your support
is amazing. At WIN we are trying to be
as productive as much we can be.
There
is so much activity in the literary field across the country– new different
publications, writers/publishers’ events, and many more. The only unfortunate thing
is that we hear the ISBN (International Standard Book Number) at the National
Archives now costs $15, same as the general price of a published book in
Zimbabwe! It’s not the writer they are punishing, but the readers and those working
hard to promote a culture of reading. Surely, if nothing is done, people will just
dump those exciting trips to the bookstore or to the library, thus creating a
big opportunity for the pirates.
We were
saddened by the death of one of world’s greatest writers, Nobel Prize-winning
writer, Alice Munro, best known for her intriguing short stories. The Canadian
author died on May 13, 2024, aged 92. May her soul rest in peace.
Alice Munro [1931 – 2024]
WIN
LIBRARY - CHILDREN’S READING CLUB
House
of Reading and Writing
The community library in Epworth is part of the WIN vision that continues to develop even in the background. We are grateful to parents/guardians whose support and trust is a great inspiration especially to our Children’s Reading Club.
MARIANA:
NURSE OF THE REVOLUTION
Book
Review
Award-winning Magodo-Mutukwa, currently based in Scotland, said when she was child, she enjoyed listening to the story of her mother as it circulated among her relations and the neighborhood. It later occurred to her that she could do more to keep the legacy of one of the mothers of the revolution alive…READ MORE
Available on Amazon
On
May 10, 2024, writer Tsitsi Nomsa Ngwenya held a wonderful CONVERSATION WITH
MEMORY AND TINASHE MUCHURI in Harare. How satisfied the muse feels when you
talk writing with a backdrop of the sweet traditional mbira music!
(All
photos courtesy of Tsitsi N Ngwenya)
READING ‘ANIMAL FARM/ CHIMURENGA
CHEMHUKA’ IN ZIMBABWE
I began to notice Animal Farm references proliferating in Zimbabwe in 2008.
That
was the year hyperinflation nosedived the economy, and long-time leader Robert
Mugabe felt threatened enough by a newly formed opposition party that he
silenced its supporters.
In the
years since, writers and independent media have repeatedly turned to Animal
Farm as a way to illuminate our political reality—even after Mugabe’s 2017
ousting. Last year, a group of Zimbabwean writers published the first-ever
Shona translation of it, Chimurenga Chemhuka or Animal Revolution. Chimurenga
Chemhuka, published by House of Books, strategically appeared on the literary
stage in the lead-up to last August’s general elections to encourage Zimbabwean
readers to think critically about politics at home and abroad. READ MORE …
PATIENCE
PAYS FOR WRITER, PUBLISHER ALECK KAPOSA
Beaven
Tapureta
Flashback: Aleck Kaposa, fourth from left, receiving the NOTAS Author and Publisher Award at the Norton Town Awards ceremony in December 2022
The
series introduced about seven titles, including The Magician. Kaposa, a go-getter, had authored all the books (of
which the other six were The Wedding, The
Moonlight Escape, The Old Man and The Snake, The Flood, Vultures in the Air and Holiday in the Country).
Essential
Books was still an infant then, but its owner, being a devotee of the written
word, sent his fresh entries for the NAMA Awards and boom! The following year The Magician got nominated for the
Outstanding Children’s Book NAMA award. It was but yet another joyful moment
for a writer who had previously been ‘there’ at the NAMAs. Say, in 2004, Kaposa
started The New Voices Magazine as
its editor and publisher. Four years later, the magazine was recognized by the
National Arts Council which nominated for the Outstanding First Creative Published
Work award. Reflecting on it today, one would admit the magazine must have been
a powerful publication that it waded to the top in a category now commonly
reserved for first books!
The Magician, after
the 2018 nomination, was the following year accepted as an appropriate text for
primary level learners by the Curriculum Development. Although the book’s
evaluation reports received by Kaposa from the CDU were positive, there had to
be an officially signed letter of approval.
The
letter couldn’t come and the wait got long. The
Magician seemingly plunged into oblivion. The person responsible for the
much needed signature died. Still, no
word came from the CD that could have enabled Kaposa to clearly map his own way
forward with the book.
The Magician re-emerged
this June, 2024, as officially “approved for publication and use as a reference
text in the library” by the Curriculum Development and Technical Services in
the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.
In approving
it as such, the CDU said the book is suitable for the grade level and that it
highlights aims and objectives of the syllabus through its cross-cutting themes,
et cetera.
The Magician has
also undergone some upgrading. Its covers are now smooth and bright, and the
font, unlike the tiny one in the previous edition, is now bigger and fit for
the targeted age group.
Since
its formation years ago, Kaposa’s publishing company, Essential Books, has been
helping many starting and established authors in getting their works see the
light of day. In different colours and genres, some of the books have been nominated
for or scooped the NAMA awards.
In the
photos below, Kaposa is seen with some of the writers he has published! Well
done, sir.
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
PHILANI NYONI’S LATEST COLLECTION CHALLENGES ACCEPTED TRUTHS
Book Review
The Testament of Black Jesus (2024), an epic by the award-winning protest poet Philani Amadeus Nyoni, presents a black saviour who, according to the poet’s words, ‘rises to speak great and dangerous words’. The saviour has a responsibility thrust upon her by past events, to spread the legacy, good or bad, of men, women, and children who witnessed first-hand the collapse of African pride and democracy in an unnamed Southern African country.
Poet Philani A NyoniTHE INTANGA MONTHLY POETRY COMPETITION
Here’s a chance for poets to shine
Submit a poem written in either Tonga, Tjikalanga, Tshivenda, Chindau, Sotho, Shona, IsiNdebele, Nambya, Shangani, Chewa, or Xhosa and stand a chance to win USD40!!
*Maximum
word limit is 45 LINES*
SEND
AS WORD DOCUMENT.
We
are interested in poetry that enacts the artistic and creative precision of
indigenous languages.
INCLUDE
AN ENGLISH OVERVIEW OF NOT MORE THAT TEN LINES
khumbulani@heartandsoul.co.zw
+263715450146
Intanga
Poet of the Month is supported by the Barbara Clara Makhalisa Nkala Literary
Trust (BCMN)
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WINNER FOR JUNE IS YET TO BE ANNOUNCED
Edwin M. Msipa aka 'Black Mampara, The Poet' is a freelance writer, book reviewer, a Genuine Artist for Genuine Artists, a poet, novelist, playwright, actor, arts festivals director, Artistic Director of Simukai Arts Family(SAFA) and an educationist. He can be contacted on WhatsApp or Call: +263 773206455 / +263776 684 308. Email: blackmampara74@gmail.com
Edwin Msipa aka Black Mampara
BHUKU RINE DZIDZO INODYUNGA PAMOYO
Musoro webhuku: Vakadzi Vose
Munyori
webhuku: Rosemary Mlambo-Majaya
Mapeji: Makumi matanhatu
nemapfumbamwe (69)
Vadhindi:
Essential Books
Publishing Company
ISBN:
978-1-77931-950-0
Mubhuku
iri vanokurukurawo kwazvo nezvemanakiro ekugona mabasa epamusha neemuupenyu
munhu ari mudiki. Mufundisi Majaya vanoti ivo vaidzidziswa mabasa nevabereki
zvichienderana nezera ravo.
Vachitaura
pamusoro pebhuku ravo, Mufundisi Majaya
vanoti, " Bhuku iri sekukosha
kwarakaita ndinoshuvirawo kuti vanotengesa mabhuku vandibatsirewo kurishambadza
uye kuti rishandiswewo muzvikoro nekuti
ndimo muzere vanasikana vacho vari kushairwa mikana yekudzidziswa(kumba)."
Vanoti
kuvakadzi vose, "Unhu igoridhe!
Mazuva ano ngatizvikoshesei nekuti takakosha zvikuru."
Rairo
yaMufundisi Majaya yakaunganidzwa pasina divi ravakarerekera asi vachibatanidza
chivanhu chedu nechitendero
cheChiKristu.
Mufundisi
Majaya havasi kukurukura zvavasiri kuziva. Vakabva neko kuhupwere uye vave amai vanoremekedzwa. Vakaroorwa nemurume
wavanoremekedza samare ivo vachimukudzawo, Mufundisi Majaya.
Munyori
ava vakazvarwa musi wa22 Zvita 1967 kuChipinge ndokudzidza paChinaa Primary
School. Secondary vakaitira paRatelshoek School. Vakazoitawo Diploma in
Theology ne Higher Level Diploma in Theology. Mhuri yavo yekwaMlambo
kwavakaberekwa inozivikanwa kwazvo nekutsungirira mukusimudzira zvinyorwa
zveChindau.
Izvozvi
vari kurwa nekutsikisa nziyo mbiri dzekuraira.
For more information about the book, contact the author on +263772637756
A CLASH OF TWO EMERGING LITERARY SUPERSTARS
Title: Nduri Kutapira
ISBN: 978-77927-847-0
EAN: 978779278470
Pages: 47
Publisher: ProScripts Publishers (Pvt) Ltd
Authors: Tamutswa Kundidzora Muzana and Rumbidzai Olivia Mubirira
This sizzling 47-paged educative Shona poetry book, co-authored by seasoned poets, Tamutswa Kundidzora Muzana and Rumbidzai Olivia Mubirira, is set to excite all Shona poetry enthusiasts. These two 'partners in crime' teamed up to write fine lines which showed that they have come of age. Muzana is a lawyer by profession whilst Mubirira is a freelance journalist.
In this book's foreword, literary arts critic Memory Chirere
described Muzana and Mubirira as apt scholars who are capable of understanding
and knowing the challenges and successes of today's people in their country.
Chirere goes on to say that these two poets have a deeper
understanding of what is hidden in their fellow countrymen's minds.
In Muzana's poems which are short but loaded, the above
assertion by Chirere is clearly spelt out. For example, in, 'Dzine
Muronga', the poet's encouragement for unity or togetherness is loud and
clear:
Dzine muronga hove dzemugungwa
Kwete nekutya kurasika:
Kana nekuti mugungwa ndimo mudambiro
radzo,
Asi kuziva mafambiro,
Neinorwara inotoshapira mvura
ichimhanya,
Kuenda kumapako ezasi nedzimwe,
Chimuswe chakati pamhamha,
Chichitambiswa zvishoma nezvishoma,
Hakuna inoti ndaneta
Muzana' voice resonates with the true African spirit of
Unhuism which is hinged upon teachings of giving respect to elders, oneness,
preservation of our Indigenous Knowledge Systems(IKS), our culture and the
importance of going back to our roots.
Mubirira offers a love pot always boiling to the end.
Mubirira is not new to Love poetry or nduri
dzerudo. She reminds me of 'Kana
wamutanga musikana' by the legendary poet and novelist Mordecai Abernia Hamutyinei.
She weaves her pieces in a hilarious yet sweet manner. Mubirira proudly delves
into rarely explored themes. As noted by Chirere in the foreword, Mubirira's
poems are as sharp as a new knife. She is unique and has hewn her own style of
writing. In life, she is capable of seeing what others are not seeing. Thus,
she literally tears the curtain down and lays everything bare for all and
sundry to see.
Mubirira, in 'Uchi Kutapira', she does
not mince her words. Again, just like Muzana, she proffers advice to lovers and
would-be lovers. Her message is that love is not ordinary but it goes beyond
what many think of it. Love is sweet and all those in it should enjoy its
fruits:
Regai ndizviraramire,
Muzviedze kwenyuwo,
Muzvionere kuti mudya ndakasungwa.
Muzvionere pamhuno sefodya,
Mugorega kuti manyepo,
Manhanga kutapira.
These two poets, I call them two 'Bad Superstars',
are never disappointing. You can read and enjoy the poems anywhere!
The first time you read their pieces is like meeting your
first time lover or getting your first salary at your first job. You just begin
to get acquainted. But then, if you notice how sounds shape their poems, you
may discover meanings you missed in the first reading. The first reading may be
a hurried one. On a second go, one will be looking for detail and that is where
deeper meanings are mined.
'Nduri kutapira' is
available. Mubirira and Muzana say that
they are ready to read their pieces at any fora.
MEET
THE YOUNG PROLIFIC CHRISTIAN WRITER
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Grace C Govha
Grace Chiyedza Govha is a
Global Writer, filmmaker, actress and motivational speaker. Her writing career
started in 2018 when she was still in school where she used to engage in script
writing. What started out as a hobby grew into something much bigger when she
started serving consistently in the house of God at Heartfelt international
Ministries. Grace Govha once featured in a Zimbabwean magazine when she was 18
years old. She also has a passion for acting. She was part of the cast in a
film and theatrical play in 2010 when she was in primary school. Grace has done
online Christian programmes with different individuals and teams. She shares
daily devotionals to make somebody else's life better. She is interested in
helping all people at all levels, making sure that every person she meets
succeed or prosper. Her desire is to see people standing right with God -
Mission Righteousness. Somebody somewhere needs love and encouragement that's
why she never ceases to share the Word. Above all she loves God more than
anything or anyone else.
Some of the Grace’s books published so far
Contact:
chiyedzagovha333@gmail.com or +263 78280 0317
VOICE FROM THE MOUNTAINS
RAIVE
BHAZI RISIRI BHAZI!
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Zuva rakazosara zvaro
roti muna mai varo nzvoti ndanyetera. Ndaive ndononokerwa zvino nekubuda
kwezuva. Iri raive zuva guru kwandiri. Kukwirawo bhazi here Mukoma. Bhazi
chairo here Mukoma? Bhazi chairo rinodhuruma kuti dhurumu dhurumu? Bhazi
rinoridza huta kuti pii pii, mangwana richatiwo pii pii ndirimowo mukati maro
here?
Ndinoziva
zvangu kuti pandinopinda mukati maro ndichanyemwerera. Asi mukati maro
makadiko? Handisati ndambomudongorirera ini. Mumwe musi pandaida kumudongorera
ndakanzi ndichenjerere ndinozotsikwa nebhazi ndokubva ndatambira kure. Ndakatya
kutsikwa nebhazi ini. Ndakariona richisimuka zvinoyevedza richitisiya
tokatyidzwa nepfumbwi uye kunhuhwirwa nedhiziri iro raenda. Zvino mangwana
richandimirira. Ndicharinzwa richiti tsvii richimira kuti ini ndikwire
rotitakura ini namhai vangu.
Kuti
zvigaro zvaro zvakaita sei mukatimo. Kuti zvakaitawo sezve mundege zvinonzi
hutepfetepfe naTaringwa. Asi ndinozviziva zvangu kuti haasati ambokwira ndege
kana kuona payakamhara. Tose tongodziona dzichibhururuka seshiri dziri
muchadengadenga. Pamwe tinodziona dzichinyura mumakore wozoona dzichiti
dzumbunuku kubuda mumakore dzava nechepamberi. Asi zvaanotaura Taringwa
tinongozvibvuma tichitogutsurira misoro yedu sezvigumukumu.
Izvi
zvinobva zvapa Taringwa manyemwe ekutaura nyaya dzake dzemundege. Nyaya
dzemundege yaasina kumbokwira kana kudongorera mukati mayo zvayo. Taringwa unomuona achidonhedza marute kana
otaura nyaya idzi sezvinonzi nokutaurako ari kudya zvinonaka. Anopukuta muromo
semunhu abva mukudya mbwirembwire ayawo maziso achipenyera twumisodzi
twekufara. Taringwa anofara chaizvo kana achitaura nyaya dzakaita sedzendege
idzi. Kana kumupa sadza anogona kuriramba kana zvake zvokuropodza zvasvika.
Taringwa ane shavi chete rokuropodza sechimugwenhure chiri mumuti
wemuhabhurosi. Chimugwenhure unongonzwa chichiti,
‘Iyi
njagu
Iyi
njagu
Iyi nja
mukoma Sara
Asara
kumba
Iyi
njagu!
Zvino
ndakazonzwa oti, “Senge iwe zvako uri kunokwira bhazi uchanakidzwa. Zvino
unozogona kuvhura mahwindo emubhazi here iwe kana wonzwa kutsva?” Akandibvunza
achinge ane kakuda kundiseka zvake. Katsika kake ikaka kekuda kuseka vamwe
zvavasingazive ndiko kanosvota nguva zhinji. Asiwo tinoita setisina hany’a
nazvo patinoramba tichiteerera nyaya dzake idzi misi nenguva.
Panguva
dzokunorereka kwezuva ndakaenda kurukova kunokwesha man’a. Kunyangwe zvazvo
ndaisava neshangu dzekuzopfeka ndaidawo kungokwira mubhazi ndakachenawo sevamwe.
Ndakakwesha man’a ndikakwesha kusara tsoka dzachena kuti mbuu asi pasi petsoka
ndakasiya pakadaro ndazvitadzawo! Shungu ndaive nadzo asi pasi petsoka
pakasviba kuti tsvaa ndiani anopagona?
Manheru
aya amai vakauraya huku. Imwe nyama takadya nesadza. Imwe yacho yaive yasara
vakaputira mubepa ‘rekhaki’ raimbove netsvigiri yakapera. Iyi ndiyo nyama
taizodya nemupunga mubhazi pazuva raitevera.
Hungu
musi uyu ndakakurumidza kunorara mugota mangu sezvo amai vaive vataura kuti
pazuva raitevera taizofumira kubata jongwe muromo kuti tizokwanise kubata bhazi
reHarare rataida. Zvino ndaiti ndikada kubatwa nehope ndaibva ndapepuka ndotya
kusiiwa nebhazi. Pamwe ndainzwa vakamana vachindiseka kuti ndaizoita senge
benzi mubhazi sezvo ndaisava neshangu dzekupfeka. Vamwe vachiti
ndichakarorambidzwa kukwira bhazi nekuti makondakita haadi vanhu vasina kupfeka
shangu mubhazi mavo. Mhai ndivo vakazondisimbisa pandakavabvunza nezvenyaya iyi
vakati idzi dzaive nhema dzetsere chaidzo. Ndakabva ndanzwa kufefeterwa
nekamhepo kaidekadza. Dumbu raive razvimbirwa nenyaya idzi ndokuti tsvatarara
kusvava sechibharuma chaputitswa.
Kunze
kwakange kuchine rima raityisa pandakamutswa namhai. Ndakanzwa vachigugudza
pamusuwo vachindimutsa vachiti kwayedza majongwe atorira kare. Ini hapana jongwe
randaive ndanzwa richikukuridza. Ndakadongorera ndokuona kunze kuchiri
kwakafungwa nerima gobvu raityisa. Ndakafunga zvorwendo rwandaive ndakatarisana
narwo zvikandipa simba nekudzinga kapfungwa kekutya rima kaive kondigara.
Hapana
chokurongedza chaidiwa sezvo mhai vaive varara vatorongedza nechekare.
Ndakangopfeka hembe dzangu ndokubuda mumba mangu. Ndakawana amai vatomira
negumbo rimwe muimba yekubikira. Hanzvadzi dzangu mbiri vakatiperekedza asi
havana kusvika kure ndokudzoka zvavo. Isu tiri vaviri tikakweshaira munziramo.
Zvainge tsoka ndidzo dzaiziva nzira yokutevera maziso pasina zvaaiona nekuda
kwerima.
Takafamba
chinhambwe ndokusvika pachiteshi chebhazi. Pakange patove nevanhu vatatu
vakange vatovepowo vachimirirawo mabhazi. Mushure medu makasvikawo vamwe vaviri
ndokumirira bhazi tiri katsama kudaro. Apo nepapo kwaingonzwikwa kunzwiririka
kwetupukanana twunofamba nekudya usiku.
Tagara
zvenguva pfupi takazoona kuti bha-a kuri kuvheneka kwebhazi kana kuti imwewo
mota ichiri kure ichiuya. Vanhu vakataudzana vachibatabata zvibutwa zvavo pamwe
nekugadzirisa hembe dzavaive vakapfeka kuti dzimire zvakanaka vachiti, ‘magetsi
awo pane chava kuuya zvichida ndiro bhazi ratakamirira kudai. Nenguva isipi
bhazi rakabva rangoti pfetse kusvika patiri. Raive nechikwangwani chakanyorwa
kuti NYANGA, HARARE VIA RUSAPE.
Vanhu
takapitipidzana kupinda mubhazi sekukurudzirwa kwataiitwa nakondakita wacho.
Pfungwa dzokuti ndicharambidzwa kupinda mubhazi nekuti ndaisava neshangu
dzakambondibata asi ndakazoona kuti kondakita uyu aisava nehany’a nazvo. Tisati
tatombogara pazvigaro zvedu kondakita akarova musiwo webhazi zvaive neruzha
bhazi ndokusimuka.
Ndakatarisa
mubhazi ndichifamba ndichitevera amai vangu vaitsvaga pokugara ndikaona sekuti
vanhu vaivemo vaive vakatokotsira zvavo. Kwaive nekamukweguru kaive kakagara
nechokumashure shure kaipwititidza zvako fodya. Ndakatarisazve ndikaona
sezvinonzi kaive kasina kugara pazvigaro zvaive zvakagarwa nevamwe. Maziso ako
achiita seechibonga murima. Ndakatarisa pahwindo ndokuona nechepamusoro paro
rakanyorwa neChirungu kuti, ‘NO SMOKING PLEASE’ Ndakatarisazve mukuru uye
ndikaona achingopwititidza fodya yake ndikafunga kuti zvichida aisagona
kuverenga chirungu. Dai zvaive zvakanyorwa neShona zvichida azogona kuverengawo
akarega zvokuputa fodya mubhazi zvaisabvumirwa izvi.
Bhazi
rakaramba richirova pasi tikazonzwa kondakita oshevedzera kuti, “Nyanga!
Nyanga! Nyanga! Nyanga huyai musare! Bhazi rakabva ramira ndiye tsvii. Vanhu
vakatanga kuburuka. Asi apa ndakaita sendinopepuka kubva kutsi kwehope. Apa
zvakandishamisa kuona tose takarongana semagarirwo anoitwa mubhazi asi takagara
mumugwagwa pasina bhazi racho. Hapana Nyanga kwataive tambosvika asi taingova
pachiteshi chedu chiye. Mbatya dzedu ndidzo dzainge dzangove mamvemve kumagaro
uku! Vanhu vakangotarisana vachidzungudza misoro yavo pamwe nekutura befu
rusiperi. Chokutaura chaicho unochishaiwa. Hungu zvaisitaurwa tichitosekawo asi
nhasi taive tasanganawo nacho chekukwira bhazi raJeremiya risiri bhazi!
***
We thank you for reading our newsletter. Let’s meet again in the
next issue.
winzimbabwe@gmail.com
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