WIN Newsletter, Issue No 51

EDITORIAL

 Mrs. Josephine Sithole Muganiwa

WIN Board Chair

Once again we hope to find you well. We are half way through the year and a lot has been happening. We hope that all those scripts you have been working on are taking shape or going places. Already a number of artists have received awards and raised the Zimbabwean flag. Congratulations to Mlalazi for the residence. WIN is grateful t0 Theresa Makomborero Muchemwa for the book donation that will inspire other writers. We appreciate all the work by various artists as you add your brick in building the nation and capturing our experiences as Zimbabweans. Lastly, do not forget to enter our short story writing competition so that you gain a lot from our forthcoming workshop in August. Let us keep writing! 

MLALAZI ON A WINNING STREAK

By WIN Staff Writer

 Christopher Mlalazi

Christopher Mlalazi’s streak of wins in his writing career is an inspiration to fellow Zimbabwean writers.

The Bulawayo-based writer has just been offered a creative writing residency at the University Of Iowa in the USA called the International Writing Program (IWP) which will run from August to November 2012.

This latest offer adds to the last two residencies which Mlalazi obtained in 2010 and 2011 at Villa Aurora in Los Angeles as creative writing fellow and Nordic Africa Institute in Sweden as Guest Writer.

In America, Mlalazi will have an opportunity to write and give readings among other activities, and also be part of the vibrant literary and academic community of the University of Iowa.

The University of Iowa is a major American research institution in Iowa City, which is the only American city designated as a UNESCO City of Literature. 

In a press release, award-winning Mlalazi advised fellow Zimbabwean writers to make use of online international writers’ networks to scout for opportunities. He also said one of the key to getting residency offers is to be published as this is a powerful element in any writers’ resume.

“If writers want to access international opportunity the trick is to have a published book or a stage play that has been produced.  These are the tangible art products that one can use as part of their CV. Then when one has the art product, you can search on the internet for these residency opportunities.  It also pays to be part of the international writers’ network, and this one can only get by searching for these networks online,” said Mlalazi. 

Mlalazi is a writer of ‘great frequency’ with a passion in short stories, plays and novel writing.

In 2009, his short story anthology, Dancing with Life: Tales from the Township (2008, Amabooks), won the Best First Published Book at the National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA). The book went on to receive Honourable Mention at the NOMA Award for Publishing in Africa.

His second book Many Rivers (2009, Lion Press Ltd) was shortlisted for the Outstanding Fiction Book at the NAMA Awards in 2010.

His stage play Election Day won the Outstanding Theatrical Production at the NAMA Awards in 2010. Other plays written by Mlalazi include Fesibhuku, produced by Savanna Trust and The Dr Hokaspokas Show which will premier in December this year and will be produced by Rooftop Productions.

His short stories have been featured in anthologies such as Short Writings from Bulawayo (in all its three versions), African Roar, and Long Time Coming: Short Writings from Zimbabwe.

The University of Iowa, which will host Mlalazi for four month, is America’s premier centre for creative writing situated in the Iowa, a UNESCO-designated City of Literature.

The International Writing Program (IWP) is a writing residency for international artists in Iowa City, Iowa. Since its inception in 1967, the IWP has hosted over 1,100 emerging and established poets, novelists, dramatists, essayists, and journalists from more than 120 countries. Its primary goal is to introduce talented writers to the writing community at the University of Iowa, and to provide for the writers a period of optimal conditions for their creative work.

LOCAL ARTIST DONATES BOOKS TO WIN

By WIN Staff Writer

 

 All smiles: WIN Director Beaven Tapureta (L) with Theresa Makomborero Muchemwa holding books she donated to WIN at the Global Arts Trust office in Harare

Blessed be the hand that gives, so goes the adage. And to add a few words, surely blessed be the hand that gives what is necessary.

In support of the ongoing campaign by WIN to inspire a reading culture and impart reading and writing skills to the youth of Zimbabwe, Theresa Makomborero Muchemwa, a gifted script writer, arts administrator and poet, last week donated 13 general books to the organisation.

Muchemwa’s donation comes hard on the heels of another book donation made to WIN by Zimbabwe Reads a month ago.

Daughter of a well known poet, lecturer in English literature and media studies, Kizito Z Muchemwa, Theresa's act of kindness demonstrates that she is well aware of the power of reading among the Zimbabweans, especially aspiring writers.

Her donation includes books such as The Girl Who Can and Other Stories by Ama Ata Aidoo, Girl with a Pearl Earring (now a major film) by Tracy Chevalier, The Purple Violet of Oshaantu by Neshani Andreas, A Cowrie of Hope by Binwell Sinyangwe, My Fathers’ Daughter by Hannah Pool, Tomorrow’s People and Other Plays by Raisedon Baya, Poems from the Persian by J.C E Bowen, and others.

By extending a hand to WIN, Muchemwa has joined WIN’s growing list of honorary patrons of in-house library that the organisation is building as part of its community outreach programme.
Previous book donations have come from renowned author Virginia Phiri, motivational writer Beatrice Sithole, and recently Zimbabwe Reads.

Born on in 1983 in Chirumanzu, Theresa needs no introduction in the arts industry, mainly film sector. After high school in 2001 and two years of a Media Studies programme she moved to Harare and took to writing and performance poetry. She joined Women Filmmakers of Zimbabwe in 2007 where she worked in production to gain more experience and exposure. She then moved to a production company Rooftop Promotions where she was the film department coordinator.

Her play, Threads (2008), was staged in Zimbabwe, South Africa and Malawi to critical acclaim.

ARTISTS CALL TO IMMORTALIZE 
WALTER MUPARUTSA

By WIN Staff Writer

 

The late great actor, producer, writer, and promoter Walter Lambert Muparutsa

Artists have called upon government, friends and arts organizations to come up with a timeless honor for the late great actor, writer, producer and promoter Walter Lambert Muparutsa whose contribution to the arts industry was overwhelming.

The call was made during an open discussion at an event held late last month at the new Book Café to commemorate the Life and Works of Muparutsa who passed on in Harare in April this year after a battle with Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

Artists and close friends of Muparutsa who participated in the event recommended that it is high time Zimbabwe honored its departed artists by naming buildings or streets after them.

To immortalize Muparutsa's legacy, it was suggested that fundraising be sought to build a 200-seater theatre which would be named after him.

Others were of the opinion that a posthumous honorary degree should be bestowed upon Muparutsa in honor of his passion to educate and mentor young artists, such a passion that saw him launching the Global Arts Trust with the aim to create a place where young artists can showcase their acting talents.

Muparutsa worked closely with universities such as Africa University, Great Zimbabwe University and University of Zimbabwe in their cultural programmes across the country.

However, some artists recommended that the other way to immortalize Muparutsa’s legacy is to have an Award in his name at the National Arts Merit Awards which is annually run by the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe.

Muparutsa's impact upon young artists was felt when they fought for the mic, each eager to speak one or two words about how Muparutsa cared for them during his time.

Main speakers at this event included National Arts Council Director Elvas Mari, Daves Guzha of Rooftop Promotions, Ray Mawerera, a Media and Communications Consultant and Andrew Whaley, a playwright.

Each of the speakers narrated how they met, worked and related to Muparutsa, describing him as a dedicated, selfless artist and recalling certain incidents they shared together.

The event, chaired by Peter Churu, was concluded by a screening of 5-minute clips from major films in which Muparutsa featured such as Everyone’s Child (1996), Yellow Card (1999) and Playing Warriors (2011).

Muparutsa’s widow Sarah and family, veteran playwright Stephen Chifunyise, Culture Fund Executive Director Farai Mupfunya, renowned writer Virginia Phiri, a large number of young artists (men and women) who passed through Muparutsa’s mentoring hands, were part of the remembrance event.

BOOK PIRACY A MAJOR 2012 ZIBF INDABA HIGHLIGHT

By WIN Staff Writer

This year’s Zimbabwe International Book Fair Indaba Conference, scheduled to take place on July 30 and 31, will be held in the context of book piracy. The entire Book Fair runs from July 30 to August 4, 2012.

This was revealed by the Chairperson of the ZIBF Executive Board Musaemura Zimunya at a press conference held on Thursday, June 7, at the ZIBF offices in Harare.

Piracy in the arts sector has become a pain in the neck that has robbed artists of their deserved rewards.

Minister of Education, Sport, Art and Culture David Coltart is expected to be this year’s Guest of honor while Midlands State University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ngwabi Bhebhe is expected to be the keynoter.

Zimunya said the Indaba will every year have a book piracy & copyright component to provide for full dissemination of latest information and deliberation over the rampant violation of authors’ rights.
He urged writers to get involved in the fight against piracy.

Meanwhile, topics that are expected to be tackled at the Indaba include The Global Impact of African Literature, Exile and Diaspora Literature of Africa, Gender, Literature and Social Change Now, Land and Literature in Zimbabwe and Africa, The Digital Divide and the African Child Reader, among others.

Zimunya said apart from the usual events such as the Young Persons’ Indaba (August 1), Traders Day (August 1), Book Fair exhibitions (August 2-4), Children’s Reading Tent (August 2-4) and the Writers Workshop on August 4, a new interesting aspect has been added to Book Fair menu, that is, the creation of four key sections of IT activities.

There will be the Kids’ Zone for 2-11 year olds, the Youth Zone for 12-15 year olds, the Digital Citizen Zone for adults with digital experience from school and work, and the Digital Immigrant Zone which is for adults who were not exposed to digital technology till recently in life.

Zimunya said this year's theme “African Literature in the Global and Digital Era” locks into the prevailing mood of digitization in the educational, literary, publishing, bookselling and library sectors, including the civic and public sectors.

The theme comes at a time when Zimbabwe has embarked on a national e-learning campaign to empower the education sector with computers and internet skills.

Zimunya said that the theme was inspired by an inspirational presentation done by Fungai James Tichawangana, an ICT expert, last year at ZIBF Writers’ Workshop.

“It was clear from that presentation and response by writers that ICT has become a new world that needs to be explored by our writers,” said Zimunya.

He also said that ZIBF plans to re-launch the Mutare Book Fair which is likely to take place in September 2012, running along the same theme as the main Book Fair.

Zimunya was optimistic that the ZIBF was on course to reclaiming its glory as an international book fair.

“Though we may not be out of the woods yet, we, however, do believe that we have reached a critical point where the leap to the next level as a truly international book fair seems achievable, even inevitable,” he said, adding that they have invited publishers and writers in the SADC region and beyond and confirmation of their participation will be made soon.

ROTTERDAM GIG FOR ZIMBABWE'S FLOWCHYLD

(Article first published by The Zimbo Jam)

 Cynthia Marangwanda aka Flowchyld

She is known as FlowChyld in poetry and hip-hop circles. She is one of Zimbabwe’s most tenacious spoken-word artists and slam poets and next week she represents us all at the Poetry International Festival in Rotterdam.

FlowChyld, known to her parents as Cynthia Marangwanda, identifies herself as a feminist and creative activist and has become the darling of spoken word stages with her confident, well-thought out and insightful poetry.  (Read More...) 

DILEMMA OF BOOK TITLE DUPLICATION
By WIN Staff Writer

Copyright legislation all over the world generally stipulates that book titles, names or short phrases are insignificant enough to be awarded copyright protection in their own right.

The aim of copyright is to promote and reward originality and creativity.

However, book title duplication has happened in the past, is happening and will possibly continue to happen. In some instances, though, title duplication has caused a stir and in other instances the duplication has not proved to be an issue. 

Last year, a much publicized case of title-fighting occurred between Africa’s great writer Chinua Achebe and American star rapper and actor 50 Cent over the title Things Fall Apart.

Things Fall Apart is the title of Achebe’s 1958 novel which undoubtedly has been one of the greatest literary works to ever come from Africa. Despite a huge monetary offer to hush Achebe, 50 Cent faced a legal challenge for using Things Fall Apart as the title of his new film.

How honest Achebe was in this case remains a guess as some copyright experts pointed out that Achebe borrowed the phrase ‘things fall apart’ from WB Yeats poem called The Second Coming.

Someone asked, “Did Yeats have to pay Jesus Christ for the use of the phrase ‘the second coming’?”

As if to confirm Achebe’s enchantment in coming up with titles that lure fellow artists worldwide, another author, Dr. Chido Matewa, wrote and self-published a biography of his father Stephen Matewa titled Man of the People, the same title of Achebe’s 1966 book  A Man of the People.

Another example is an anthology edited by Jairos Kangira titled Creatures Great and Small, obviously a title that had been popularized by an English writer James Alfred Wight who used the pen name James Herriot.  Herriot’s book All Creatures Great and Small, published in the 70’s, was an astounding success, generating numerous sequels, movies, and a successful television adaptation.

The latest case of book title duplication is Shadows, a novella by Novuyo Rosa Tshuma, published recently by Kushinda Publisher. No doubt that memories that come to the minds of readers are that of Chenjerai Hove’s 1991 book Shadows, published by Heinemann (African Writers Series).

Given the continued instances of title duplication, could this signal the need to trademark titles, that is, if titles can be trademarked?

According to a brochure published by World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), trademarks are also used to protect a name or a brand image. A trademark is a distinctive sign identifying certain goods or services as those produced or provided by a specific person or enterprise.

The problem with trademarks is that they apply within a specific trading sector and their primary focus is on preventing a competitor from using the same product name such as Coca-Cola, Colgate, Phillips, Sony, Apple, etc.

But what happens if copyright was applied to book titles? For example (and this is only an example), what would happen if the title of Virginia Phiri’s novel Desperate was copyrighted in its own right? This means that the use of all derivatives of the word ‘desperate’ such as ‘desperately’, ‘desperation’ or ‘desperateness’ will be prohibited either in song or public performances or in a document.

As is known, copyright continue to apply for a certain legal period from the author’s death and this would mean that no one else except Phiri will use the word ‘desperate’ and all its derivatives for quite a long period. Furthermore, the prohibition will apply across the world as copyright is universal.

The above analysis clearly demonstrates why titles are not copyright material.

However, book title duplication is a sensitive issue and the blame is always either placed on the editor or author or publisher of the book duplicating another title.

INTWASA SHORT STORY COMPETITION 2012

 

 

 The Intwasa Short Story Writing Competition is held in honor of the late gifted Zimbabwean author Yvonne Vera (pictured above)

Put your writing talent to test.

Write a short story and have the chance of winning $500

The Intwasa Short Story Competition is an annual literary event seeking to promote original creative writing talent in English. The winning story will be awarded the Yvonne Vera Award which carries a $500 cash prize.

Rules:

§   There is no particular theme

§  Entries must be written in English

§  Entries should be previously unpublished

§  Only one entry per person

§  All work must be original

§  Entries must be typed

§  Maximum 3000 words

§  The competition is open to all Zimbabwe citizens and residents

§  Entries must be submitted by July 31, 2012

§  Late entries will not be accepted.

§  Only the short-listed candidates will be personally notified 

Send stories to Intwasa Short Story Competition, Office 403, 4th Floor, LAPF House, Bulawayo or info.intwasa@gmail.com or info@intwasa.org

For enquiries, do not hesitate to contact:

Runyararo Cynthia Mutandi
Festival Administrator
Intwasa Arts Festival koBulawayo
Office 403, 4th Floor
LAPF House
8th Ave & J. Moyo St.
Bulawayo
Zimbabwe
Tel/Fax: +263 9 63928
Cell: +263 772 814 185
Website: www.intwasa.org
Email: info@intwasa.org
Alt. Email: info.intwasa@gmail.com
Blog: www.intwasa.blogspot.com
Skype: runyararo.cynthia.mutandi
                  
   "Bulawayo Blooming"

SHORT STORY DAY AFRICA

Press Release

On Wednesday 20 June revel in a celebration of fiction’s short- yet perfectly- crafted form, the short story.

Last year on June 21st, the shortest day of the year, we invited you to participate in Short Story Day South, a southern-African celebration of short fiction. This year on June 20th, Short Story Day goes global with the launch of International Short Story Day and Short Story Day Africa.

Short Story Day Africa aims to highlight the outstanding fiction Africa has to offer. We encourage every one of all ages and all genders to do something in honour of the short story. This could be absolutely anything, from running a creative workshop or class, a competition, making a short film or film adaptation of a short story, organizing a spoken word night, a reading, an author appearance, a literary salon, or simply picking up a short story and enjoying it, for maybe the first or the hundredth time. Whatever it is you're doing, we want to hear about it! Send us details of your event to info@shortstorydayafrica.org, a link to your website (if applicable), and any images you have, and we'll put it on the brand new Short Story Day Africa website, where you can also find short stories to read and enjoy, short story recommendations, competitions, giveaways and more. Follow us on Twitter @shortstoryAFR or Facebook Short Story Day Africa

What’s it all about?

The concept, celebrating the short story on the shortest day of the year, is borrowed from the pilot project, National Short Story Day (www.nationalshortstoryday.co.uk), which launched in the UK in October 2010 and concluded on 21 December (their shortest day). The project grew organically using social networking tools (Facebook and Twitter) and was a great success. Short Story Day South followed on 21 June 2011, culminating in a series of events around the country, including the popular Chain Gang Challenge. This year, the organizers of National Short Story Day and Short Story Day South, decided to collaborate to create an international celebration.

International Short Story Day was born, with Short Story Day Africa focusing on African writing and writers.

Who can take part?

Readers and writers of all ages, teachers, students...YOU!

MORE NEWS FROM SHORT STORY DAY AFRICA 

Dear friends and supporters,

Short Story Day Africa has some fantastic news. We received notification from SA Writers' College, specialists in writing tuition, that they would be giving the winner of the YA Writing Competition a Creative Writing Course for High School Students, valued at R2795. Please help us spread the word to writers who can't legally drive. It's a fantastic opportunity for one promising author.

http://shortstorydayafrica.org/?page_id=136

Under 12s can also win vouchers and books. Just for trying, we'll enter them into a special draw.

http://shortstorydayafrica.org/?page_id=1266

And for those of you who can vote, you have until the 20th to enter our Win a Workshop competition, brought to you by the facilitators of The Caine Prize for African Writing workshop, Henrietta Rose-Innes and Jamal Mahjoub. An Exclusive Books voucher, sponsored by Books Live, and copies of African Violet, the 2012 Caine Prize anthology, are also up for grabs.

http://shortstorydayafrica.org/?page_id=217

We haven't forgotten about those very imporatant readers either. From now until Short Story Day, 20th June, we'll be giving away books. Every single day, more than once. Follow us on Twitter @shortstoryAFR or LIKE our Facebook Page, Short Story Day Africa, so you don't miss out.

Don't forget to keep checking our website for event updates and stories from some of Africa's most talented writers, free for you to read and download. http://www.shortstorydayafrica.org

Best regards

The Short Story Day Africa Team

THE REGULAR WRITER

With Tinashe ‘Mutumwapavi’ Muchuri

Lack of information in local languages a big problem

Paucity of information concerning local languages took center stage at the just ended Zimbabwe Libraries Association 46^th conference held in Kadoma this May.

The conference ran under the theme “Information Professionals at the Crossroads: Opportunities for Change”.

 Dr. Elizabeth Marunda, Principal Director, Policy & Research – Ministry of Education, Art, Sports & Culture, who was Guest of Honor, noted that there was lack of information produced in local languages. She urged librarians to quickly find a way that allows those who are not fluent in English to find the opportunity to present their views in their local languages.

She also spoke about teaching the children to write and read in the local languages. She said this will encourage the future to read in our language and also afford the children to access important information they can not find in English.

 Dr Marunda said this is another crossroad, where very important information cannot be accessed by the present and the future generations because the information is not written in local languages.  Where are our writers, she asked. What is the relationship between the writer, the teacher, the student and the librarian?  

In the fight to promote reading culture in schools the Ministry of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture is encouraging schools to establish a reading corner in each class. The reading corner will be a place where children in that class will have a chance to read books that are not text books.  She challenged librarians to research and help produce books in local languages through collaboration with publishers and authors to make relevant information accessible to the right consumers. 

On another note, she decried the rampant photocopying of books by schools and universities. She spoke about creation of synergies among publishers, authors and   librarians so that this issue of information piracy is dealt with vigorously. She said there is power in numbers and the bigger the number the better the voice could be heard by policy makers. She did not mince her words when she said that information professionals should not be fooled that those in offices know the needs of the industry. She encouraged the stakeholders in the information profession to engage the policy makers and educate them about the importance of access to information to the nation. It is here that librarians were tasked to have workshops that target policy makers so that they will be aware of the importance of libraries in a society.

NGATINYOREI

Na Clever S. Kavenga

 Ndingariwanepi Dhora?

Pfungwa dzangu hadzisi pano. Dziri kure chaiko. Kure zvokuti kufamba netsoka hausviki makumbo asati azvimba nekutikama chete. Kure zvokuti ukafunga nezvako hana inorova.

Ndozvinomboita pfungwa dzinogona kukusiya uchimhemhaira mumachinga enzvimbo dziri kuresa uchingofunga zvisingapere. Ndiri kufunga, kufunga kuti kwandingawane dhora ndokupi. Hongu mungaseke zvenyu muchinzwa sendinobvunza zvisina maturo. Asi zvedi ndingariwanepiwo dhora!? Ehee ndiri kutsvaga dhora chairo , dhora chete kwete maviri kana matatu. Ndiani zvake ane tsitsi angakwanise kundikweretesawo dhora?

Zvandinge ndiri kutaura ndega zvangu, kushaya neakosora kuti hana imboti tivu kurova. Unenge uchitika pane akosora uchanzwa woti –oo dhora racho asi udzosere handidi zvokuzorifambira.

Kutaura ndega chokwadi ungaripihwe naani dhora chairo iye munhu aswera akakotama musana sehota achisakura? Eheka anenge aswera achisakura kumunda murefu kwavaTaswerera. Kunyangwe uchimuvimbisa munhu kuti unomudzorera nenguva chaiyo anombofunga rutatu runa wozongoona woti dzungu dzungu musoro wake sembwa yadirwa mvura! Wozongopedzisa nekutaura kuti haana,  zvataurwa kare nemusoro.

Ndirini pane nguva yandinombonyatsoti dhuu kufunga ndiri zii zvangu sendisipo panyika pano. Ukandiona ndichinyemwerera usambogaya kuti kufara nekukuona kwandaita kwete! Aaa imi , ini here? Pamwe ndinenge ndisingambokuoni mumaziso umu ndichinyemwerera zvangu zvandinenge ndichifunga zvangu panguva iyi.

Asi ari ani zvake waunoti uri kutsvagawo dhora akakunzwa? Mumwe anobva atarisa zvake rutivi wotanga kutsvororidza kamuridzo kake sepasina zvaanzwa. Pamwe unoona munhu achikutarisa kubvira kutsoka achikwira newe kusvika kumusoro chaiwo. Apa anenge achikunan’anidza sezvinonzi anoona chimwe chiro chitsva chaasati ambosangana nacho mumaziso make.  Kukutarisa  sezvinonzi zvawataura hazvitaurwe nemunhu mupenyu. Newewo iyi ndiyo nguwa yaunotangawo kuzvinan’anidzawo uchibvira kutsoka dzako dzizere naman’a! Tsoka  dzisingazive hwasho kana mapatapata hawo!

Asi ndiani angandipewo dhora vakomana? Dhora chairo ndiro randiri kutsvaga. Mhai vanondinyima ava Havana basa nazvo zvokuti tinomboswerawo kwavaTaswerera tichirishandira dhora kusvika zuva rati nzvoti muna mai waro kunyura. Patinotambiriswa mari yacho ndirini ndinonoipa mhai kuti vachengete. Handingati vanondichengetera nokuti dai vaindichengetera vaizondipa yawanda. Zvino apa inenge isiri yangu asi yawo mhai semunhu mukuru.  Ndizvo saka vasingazondipi kuti ndigare nayo kana kuti nditengewo zvandinoda nayo ini nyakuishandira wacho.

Pose pavanondipa mari kuti ndiende nayo kumagirosa kana kuchigayo vanonyatsoiverenga. Vanoti nditenge zvavanoda kwete zvandinodawo. Vanonyatsocherechedza mari yandinenge ndadzoka nayo. Mumwe musi ndakamboisa mashereni mashanu mukahomwe kandaifungidzira kuti havakazive. Pandakavapa mari yandaiti ndiyo yaive yasara vakaramba vakatambanudza ruoko rwavo rwerudyi. Ndakazoona woverengazve mari iye rwepiri ndikabva ndaziva kuti chabhiridha.

Ndakanzwa woti, ‘Rungano zvemasaramusi ndozvandisingadi manje. Homwe dzako dzava kudya mari here idzi? Ko imwe mari iri kupi apa?’ Ndakamboda kutsika tsika asi matarisiro ayo vaindiita vaitoita sevari kuiona pandaiti ndakaviga pacho.

‘Mashereni mashanu haangarasikizve kudaro kunyeba uku, buritsa tione apa!’

Zvose zvandaive ndatoronga nayo zvakabva zvati pasi pwatara!!  

Vakanyemwerera pandakavatambidza ndichiiburitsa mukahomwe kaye. Kubva musi uyu ndakabva ndaziva nokubvuma kuti kunyangwe zvazvo mari iyi ndiriniwo ndinomboifondokera kumaricho haisi yangu! Ehee  ndinoishandira zvangu nguva nenguva asi yagara haizi yangu iyi. Mari ine varidzi vayo vanoitonga kunyangwe iri shoma zvakadii mari imari chete.

Mhai nenguva dziri kure nakure vanotitengera zvipfeko zvavanofunga kuti ndizvo zvatinofarira. Kuda nokusazvida tinongotambira tichinyemwerera. Ko handiti tiri vana wavo saka ndivozve vanoziva zvatinofarira nokusafarira.

Dai vaisaziva zvatinoda handiti vaitibvunza?

Asi ndiani hake ane moyo munyoro, moyo wakachena sewegwayana kuti weke, moyo wakanaka uzere norudo nenyasha andipewo zvake dhora? Ndiro dhora randichiri kutsvaga. Dhora chete chete. Dhora rokuti nditengerewo Mavambo chinwiwa kana mabhanzi maviri hawo.

Imi woye dhora rokuti ndimutengerewo machingamu ekuti apotewo achitsenga pandinenge ndichitaura naye. Kwete zvokutsenga uswa kana twumiti. Ndomutengera machingamu kutika paanotsenga atsenge achiziva nokuyeuka kuti ndinomuda. Ehee aripo here angandiwanirewo dhora zvaro nditengerewo Mavambo musikana wandinoda zvandinofunga kuti ndozvaanoda!

Kana ndimiwo mungafare here kuona musikana wamunoda achitsenga rwodzi iwe uripo? Musikana waunoda kutsenga rwodzi rwunoomesa shaya iwo mabhisikiti akapfava uye anonhuwirira akashonga masherefu emuzvitoro samaruva anoyevedza ayo unongoyeva kasingaperi aripo!

Dai pakava neangandipewo dhora kani vanhuwe zvichida Mavambo angazondiudzewo zvaanoramba akaviga pasi pemoyo wake kuti anondidawo.

CALL FOR POEMS

Here is a great opportunity for your work to be published among the works of other established poets and up and coming ones. The book which will be entitled ‘Poetic Dawn in Zimbabwe’ will be a compilation of many poems by poets handpicked from our very own Zimbabwe.
Your name and your poem will feature in the book. This book is a good opportunity for Zimbabwe to showcase its poetic talent, be part of the team of poets that raise the proud banner of Zimbabwe. Your opportunity is knocking - take it

***Important Important Important***

Even if your work is chosen, the books are NOT free. Featured poets can purchase the books at a discounted price of $8, while all other readers purchase them at $10.
The money made from the proceeds will help facilitate for other poets to also get their work published, so the money is sowed right back into the books.

All entries should be in by June 30 2012.

Rules

* All work MUST be 100% original, no copyrighting, plagiarizing or duplication of someone else’s work
* All poets must be Zimbabwean
* No politically inclined work
* No work/poems should be over 2 pages long
* Be sure to put your name on all your work and number your pages

You can email your 2 poems to pdizim@gmail.com (remember to put your full name, title of the poem, address and phone number in the email)

 (From Poetic Dawn in Zimbabwe Facebook Page)

POETICAL DRUMS

Mwana Iyeye Rumbi Ndinomuda

Na Elijah Mahwamba, Budiriro
(Photo: Tinashe Muchuri)

Mwana iyeye ndinomuda

Ingirozi zvayo

Kana mudziva rinengwena ndinopinda

Dzvokorai zvenyu neziso reropa vavengi

Ini pandakaruma ndakaruma chete

Mwana wepi munyoro nyoro senyanza

Asina kana negakava

Rudo rwake rwunondipa ushingi

Akanditi nde-e achinyemwerera ndinombodzungaira

Pfungwa dzangu dzose dzinombotiza

Kunyangwe mucharima akanditi mbunde-e

Kunomboti mbe-e mbe-e kuchena

Vegodo neshanje siyanai nesu

Nhasi munomuti pfambi

Ndava nokuti tadanana!

Woti unomuda ndava tadanana!

Ndini here ndakaita kuti midzimu yenyu ishone ngonono

Ichikuonesai chipukandipemwenje shavi ramututa tsvina?

Kana ndimiwo amai

Munoti muroora handiye wamunoda

Muchiti kumusha kwavo kune makonzo

Ehe, chinzwai amai

Hakuna musha usina gonzo

Ndingaripa zvangu nechekaukama pane kuteererai

Kana makati mberi kune rufu

Regai zvangu ndife ndimufire

Mwana iyeye ndinomuda

Kana ndimiwo tete

Doringai mufananidzo wake

Mhenya, ngirosi yedenga inogara panyika

Doringisai muone chimiro chake,

Chitipuramoyo tete!

Mwana iyeye ndinomuda

Kana akati ndinanzve pasi petsoka dzake

Idi ndinonanzva

Kana akati ndirarosvetuka svetuka usiku hwose kumufadza

Idi handineti

Kana akati ndicheme ndisina kumborohwa

Idi mhere ndinoiridza

Kana zvakanzi nhingi afa

Chero ndiina Rumbi ndinoti munhu iyeye mupenyu

Runako rwake rwunondibata uranda

Ndongoita chero chipi zvacho

Rumbi, ah, mwana iyeye ndinomuda mufunge.

REMEMBER THAT

"Writers are the surgeons of society"