Registered under the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe

25 June 2024

WIN LITERARY NEWSLETTER, VOL 2, ISSUE No 23


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

Mariana: Nurse of the Revolution (2024) is a memoir of Cde Mispar [not real name], a liberation war veteran. It was researched and refined the first-person by her daughter, writer and poet Catherine Magodo-Mutukwa.

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 

 

 A CONVERSATION OF GREAT MINDS


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)

 

 


According to Ngwenya, dates for the next

Conversation 

will be announced

soon but below are some details about it:



 

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



In 2017, Essential Books Publishing Company owned by Norton-based writer Aleck Kaposa, launched what it called a ‘new, unique and exciting Mini-Readers Series of stories from Zimbabwe’ that aimed to fulfill the New Curriculum for Primary and Secondary School English syllabi.

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

 

Contact: info.womenwriters@gmail.com 


         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 Nyoni

READ MORE 


THE 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)

 


WINNER FOR JUNE IS YET TO BE ANNOUNCED

  

 BLACK MAMPARA BOOK REVIEWS

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

 

Kazhinji vanhukadzi vanosairirwa mumba yokubikira asi bhuku idzva raAmai Rosemary Mlambo-Majaya rinonzi Vakadzi Vose  rinopikisana netsika iyoyi. Bhuku iri rinoratidza muverengi kuti sei zvakakosha tikubuda mutsika iyoyo yekumbunyikidzwa semudzimai asingakwanisi kuzvisimudzirawo.  Mai Majaya vanopa  dzidziso kumunhukadzi kubva achiine mukaka pazamu, oita mhandara  dzamara kuita amai nemukukwegura kwake.  "Ibhuku rinotaura maringe nemwanasikana(girl child) kubva achiri mudumbu raamai kusvika akwegura," vanodaro Amai Majaya avo vanova mufundisi kuUnited Pentecostal Ministries  kuMasvingo.

Mubhuku iri vanokurukurawo kwazvo nezvemanakiro ekugona mabasa epamusha neemuupenyu munhu ari mudiki. Mufundisi Majaya vanoti ivo vaidzidziswa mabasa nevabereki zvichienderana nezera ravo.


Munyori anobata dzidziso dzakawanda kubva pakugona kuwarura gumbeze, kubika, kurima zvirimwa pamba, kuruka mabhutusi chaiwo, kusona, kugamuchira vaenzi, kutengesa-tengesawo, kuziva chinonzi humhandara nehumai nezvimwewo gurumwandira rezvidzidzo.

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.



Rumbidzai Mubirira

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.

 In this stunning poem, the persona is on cloud nine and sensing true love. The poem is heavily soaked in the imagination of a woman who is dreaming of her partner who may be far. She is telling him that the playing field is level and is ready to play her marital and conjugal role without hesitating. This is one of Mubirira's lovely pieces.

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

 

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!

 NaSimbarashe C Kavenga (Mutare)

 

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!       

 

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We thank you for reading our newsletter. Let’s meet again in the next issue.

 For any queries:

winzimbabwe@gmail.com

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