NEW WRITERS' NETWORK LAUNCHED

…plans to spread wings into Africa
Source: Newsday, Saturday, July 3, 2010

A group of Zimbabwean writers has established a writers’ association named Writers International Network Zimbabwe (Win-Zimbabwe) hoping to create synergies between local and internationally based Zimbabwean writers.
The brainchild of Beaven Tapureta, Win-Zimbabwe will also work towards training upcoming writers and offering opportunities for publication.
Tapureta, a former programmes officer with the Budding Writers Association of Zimbabwe said they had submitted documents with the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe for registration.
“We’re currently in the process of registering. We have since submitted our papers to the National Arts Council,” he said, adding they were ready to operate.
The major thrust of Win-Zimbabwe, he said, was to establish a network of local writers and internationally based Zimbabwean authors.
“Win-Zimbabwe seeks to provide opportunities for intellectual empowerment and rewards for both rural and urban based upcoming writers in Zimbabwe,” he added.
Tapureta came up with this idea after realizing that young writers had limited opportunities for training and platforms to showcase their writing talent.
The 35-year-old Chitungwiza-born writer said in a bid to strengthen the new organisation’s structures, he had drawn on the wealth of influential figures in the writing community both in Zimbabwe and in the diaspora.
The writers include David Mungoshi, Ivor Hartmann and Sarudzayi Barnes.
The organisation’s priority, he said, was to focus on Zimbabwe but they had plans to spread their wings into Africa because “writing has no boundaries”.
The organization held its inaugural meeting in May, which was graced by prominent writers Memory Chirere, Virginia Phiri, Julius Chingono and Daniel Hwendaenda.