WIN-ZIMBABWE HOLDS INAUGURAL WRITERS’ MEETING

On a pleasant Saturday afternoon, May 8 2010, Writers International Network Zimbabwe held its first writers’ meeting in the Theatre in the Park (Harare Gardens) with renowned writers Memory Chirere and Virginia Phiri gracing the occasion. Before the meeting started, the writers observed a moment of silence in memory of fellow writer Stanley Ruzvidzo Mupfudza who recently passed away in Harare. Then Julius Chingono, established poet and creative writer, gave welcoming remarks, explaining the importance of networking. Poet Tinashe Muchuri aka ‘Mutumwapavi’ brilliantly and practically led participants in learning various tricks that make a good and unique performance. He called up a few poets to perform impromptu and then asked the audience to analyze their performances. The whole exercise was refreshing as poets learnt certain loopholes in their performances. Daniel Hwendaenda, author of three Shona novels, talked about some of the basic principles of writing, lacing his presentation with creative humor while Beaven Tapureta highlighted on what the organization is all about. Various poets and singers had a chance to entertain and display their gifts at intermissions. The turnout was superb, the participants assorted. There were academic writers, performance poets, budding musicians, published and unpublished writers. This invigorating function left many craving for more and truly, surely, there is more to come. Many thanks go to the Zimbabwe International Book Fair for according us a place to create, have fun and share ideas and experiences. WIN-ZIMBABWE also acknowledges the support exhibited by everyone who participated in this function. The organization will carry out another literary and poetry afternoon next month, details of which will be available soon. Above all, it is the free, practical knowledge exchanged and learnt from the May 8 meeting that will revolutionize our writing weaknesses into strengths, our dreams into actual performance.

Writers International Network Zimbabwe, or WIN-ZIMBABWE, was formed in January this year with the main objective to “create an effective network of fellowship among published and unpublished Zimbabwean writers, whether they are in or outside the country and to network with other African writers’ organizations, publishers, groups and individuals with a consensus to advance local literary discourse which will benefit new writing talent in Zimbabwe”.

An acrostic for WIN-ZIMBABWE
By Regina S. Ngwenya

Writers are like an exotic flower shedding seeds yonder
International boundaries, creating a beautiful powerful
Network of winning artists, voices rising to echo through


Zimbabwe’s stunning walls; poetry the drum that beats
In our hearts and minds, as we dance to its rhythm
Moving us to the Glory ahead
Bright to those who seek it
Audible to everyone across nations
Beckoning you and I to a shining new star
Writers International Network Zimbabwe,
Every step of the way is clear