EDITORIAL
Writers Tsitsi Nomsa
Ngwenya (left), who read a passage from N Sigogo’s book, and Virginia Phiri
(reading a passage from Yvonne Vera's The Stone Virgins) during the 2019 ZIBF
Writers Workshop
Welcome
to our 6th issue! There is so much happening in the literary
community.
We are being inspired by emerging writers
who are braving the current challenges in the publishing sector and are going
ahead churning out tales that are thought-provoking. Among other new books
recently published, one finds Shona novels such as Oscar Gwiriri’s Hatiponi (Progressive Booksellers &
Publishers), Crymio Kutyauripo’s Chinyaride
(Dean & Dione Publishing House) and Fanwell Wandayi’s Ndaiti Ndinotewo (Lawnic Publishing House), all dealing with
pertinent issues. Shepherd Mutamba, author of a biography Tuku Backstage (first and second editions), has a new a book that
fuses two arts, photography and poetry, titled Dobhadobha: A Book Without Margins. Milton Chitsime, an author and
social worker who ‘life coaches’ adolescents, also has his 21-paged new offer The Spiritual Side of Sex: A Guide for
Christian Youths (Inforwareness Projects). Chitsime seem to be passionate
with educating the young about sexuality issues. His previous book Not In Zimbabwe, which will be reviewed
by Tendai Chinhoro in our next newsletter, fearlessly tackles the subject of
homosexuality. International Law scholar
Christine Nhamo, who last year gave us a stimulating poetry collection called A Handful of Tears, has just published
her Pills of Wisdom. Nhamo’s A Handful of Tears is in the same fold with
Dobhadobha as it uses poetry and
photography to convey ideas and emotions. We also say congratulations to elder
Philbert Jumbe for documenting church history and highlighting God-fearing
practices in the running of church business.
Surely, writers are not stopping! Reviews
of these and other new books will appear in our forthcoming newsletters.
The 2019 ZIBF is now gone but it left us
with so much to ponder. Yet soon after the ZIBF, the arts sector lost a loving
elder, Stephen Chifunyise, who died this August. We will cherish the knowledge
and wisdom he shared with us in the arts and culture world. Rest in peace,
Uncle Steve...
PETINA GAPPAH KEYNOTE
SPEAKER AT INTERNATIONAL LITERATURE FESTIVAL
Petina Gappah
Award
winning Zimbabwean writer and lawyer Petina Gappah will be presenting at the 19th
edition of the International Literature Festival Berlin, Germany, scheduled for
September 11-21.
According
to ILB, Gappah will give the keynote speech at the opening of the festival on
September 11. The festival will run for eleven days with exciting,
comprehensive program and Berlin, the German capital, is expected to “become
the centre of literary, scientific and socio-political debate”.
For
more about the ILB, please visit: www.literaturfestival.com
VETERAN AUTHOR ESTABLISHES NDEBELE
WRITING CONTEST
Barbara Nkala
One
of Zimbabwe’s senior authors Barbara Nkala has launched a novel writing
competition that will greatly promote Ndebele language. Gogo Nkala, an editor,
publisher, belongs to the generation of early Zimbabwean writers who wrote in
their mother languages. She has proved a dynamic writer by embracing ICT to promote
Ndebele writers and spread the Word of God. She now runs a blog named BARBARA C NKALA – nee MAKHALISA MOYO where
writers can get more details about the Ndebele writing contest as well as enjoy
her weekly newsletter.
DOING
THE MOST GOOD OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED
Mr. Philbert Jumbe (left)
being congratulated by the Salvation Army Territorial Commander, Commissioner
Joash Malabi at the launch of his book
Salvation Army elder
Philbert Jumbe, who once led the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce,
officially launched his debut book ‘Doing
The Most Good as a Servant of God In the 21st Century’ on
Saturday, July 27. The launch was
held at the Salvation Army head office in Harare.
In his speech, guest of honor Joash
Malabi described the book as a relevant resource in good governance and
accountability practices not only to the Salvation Army but the world at large.
The book, he said, is an encouragement
for fellow churchmen and women to write books. He pointed out that in the past
most of the Salvation Army publications came from the ‘first world’ and Jumbe’s
book, endorsed by General Andre Cox, is truly a trailblazer.
After the author presented a speech,
there followed a literary conversation between him and his South Africa-based
daughter Jennifer Kudzayi Jumbe.
The launch was graced by fellow
Salvationists, guests from other different churches, friends and relatives of
the author, including celebrated Mai Rebecca Chisamba and Mr. Lordwell Manyika,
a former Literature Bureau editor.
CHILDREN’S LITERATURE IN ZIMBABWE
With
Aleck Kaposa
Imagining Norton Children's
Book Festival and Business Expo 2019
Imagine
how it will be like on the day of the 2nd edition of the Norton
Children's Book Festival and Business Expo in September this year. Hundreds of
learners from different schools arrayed in uniforms of different colors, broods
of writers, entrepreneurs and other interested spectators, all gathered as if
for a feast, at Katanga Shops open space. Its bright colors all over and in
big, bright letters a huge poster that flaps slightly in the wind, it reads:
NORTON CHILDREN'S BOOKS FESTIVAL & BUSINESS EXPO 2019.
Imagine
the sudden roar of life and fun. A young girl totters to the open mic in the
middle of a huge human sea, the expectant crowd urges her on as she starts to
recite a poem. Afterwards there's a thunderous applause and more learners come
forward to recite poems, speeches and to read from exciting books.
Imagine
a well-known writer, poet and journalist Tinashe Muchuri bursting into the
scene, whistling a song, dancing, then reciting a poem and afterwards talks
about the importance of reading books.
Imagine
another writer Simbarashe Kavenga, writer of the acclaimed children's book Mashiripiti eDehwe presenting at the
festival, followed by other writers and performers. Then book sales, book
launches, children's art activities, more speeches and poems and readings.
Imagine
the wonderful music from South African jazz maestro “Dollar Brand” playing
softly in the background of all this excitement.
Imagine
all that and much more.
Imagine
how it will happen, imagine being there yourself, being part of the annual,
historic, second edition of the children's books festival in Norton.
On
25 September 2019, you will not need to stretch your mind anymore to imagine
how it will be like. It will be happening real time at Katanga. Be there!
BOOK REVIEW
By Beaven Tapureta
Business Expertise and
Church Ministry Fused In Book
Salvation Army
elder and business expert, Philbert Alexander Jumbe, has produced a
multi-dimensional book that will guide the modern Christian ministry in Africa
especially in matters of business and how spiritually linked business is to the
church’s spiritual refinement.
The book, Doing The Most Good As A Servant of God in the 21st Century (2019),
intensively draws its inspiration from the author’s own experience and the
history of his church. On another level, it generously offers business
administration knowledge which students will find useful.
Although the Salvation Army is its axis,
the book strategically provides relevant perspectives from which to investigate
challenges being faced by the church in Sub-Saharan Africa and recommends
special solutions that can claim the church back to its spiritual innocence.
Books like Doing The Most Good echo the same cry made in other books published
before, that is, the need for documenting church history to guide future
leaders or generations. One such book that comes to mind is Growing and Branching Out (2014, Radiant
Publishing Company), compiled by established Zimbabwean writers Barbara C Nkala
and Doris Dube, which vividly traces the history, challenges and achievements
of the Brethren in Christ Church in Zimbabwe and Southern Africa.
Jumbe’s book opens with a foreword by
General Andre Cox, who, born in Zimbabwe, rose to become an international
leader of The Salvation Army until he retired in 2018. Having had the
opportunity to closely work with the General, the author discovered a
principled leader who stressed accountability especially in handling church
finances.
Planning is the major motif in the first
three parts of the book highlighting titbits of why, how, when and what to plan
for within the church, within the private or public sector.
The essence of planning is conveyed
through a Bible story which the author uses in one of the sections in the book.
“Jesus Christ taught us a parable about two builders: “Why do you call me Lord,
Lord and yet don’t do what I tell you? Anyone who comes to me and listens to my
words and obeys them - I will show you what he is like. He is like a man who,
in building his house, dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. The river
overflowed and hit the house but could not shake it, because it was well built.
But anyone who hears my words but does not obey them is like a man who built
his house without laying a foundation; when the flood hit that house it fell at
once – and what a terrible crash it was.” (Luke 6:46-48). The significance of
Jesus’ words is that we ought to plan carefully before embarking upon building
projects,” Jumbe writes.
As a church leader and former president
of the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce, he displays a sharp mind when he
applies the ‘planning’ motif to some realistic universal issues such as
HIV/AIDS, climate change, urbanization, globalization, demographic developments
and the information and communications technology. And any church (or any
country) in this world faced with all the challenges of the 21st
century, has a role to play to make the world a better place.
The author’s humanitarian concern is felt
when he writes about the church’s role in caring for the aged, the needy, in
remembering the girl children and everyone in unfortunate conditions. His
church, as noted in the book, has been involved in various projects in and
outside Zimbabwe, such projects as assisting victims of natural disasters,
constructing churches and schools in poor, rural communities and helping the
girl children.
The success of these initiatives came
through careful planning, guided by both business and spiritual sincerity as
shown in the book.
How to tackle bigger challenges from the
church and business perspective is what the book explains. For example, the author
adeptly analyses the nature of climate change which Zimbabwe is facing, the
causes and effects (on the economy and other sectors), and how these can be
addressed or resolved. The church, according to him, cannot operate in
ignorance of this challenge.
“Climate change will exacerbate poverty
in Zimbabwe due to food insecurity, malnutrition and disease. The increase in
the incidence of malaria due to climate change will also compromise sustainable
development. Poverty eradication is one of the prerequisites for achieving
sustainable development. Again, poverty reduction is a key component of the
millennium development goals. The Salvation Army, as any other Christian
organization, needs to be aware of these at all times…. Climate change will
pose one of the most serious food security challenges of the 21st
century in the country…” he writes in the third part of the book.
The last part is historical as it
profiles some of the men and women who have made the Salvation Army a global
Christian force today and in this class of venerated leaders is Nelson Mandela,
a political hero whose Ubuntu principle echoed across the world.
Using archival material such as reports
and photographs, his personal church experience and observations and his
business acumen, Jumbe speaks convincingly to three types of readers likely to
benefit from the book – the business administration student, the global
community of the Salvation Army and any other Christian leader.
Philbert Alexander Jumbe is a retired
Head Usher, Projects Finance Committee Chairperson, and Corps Secretary of the
Harare City Corps of The Salvation Army. Until recently he was the Chairperson
of the Advisory Board of the Salvation Army, Zimbabwe Territory. He is the
Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Bearings and PAJ Holdings group of companies, based
in Harare, Zimbabwe. He holds various qualifications in business administration
and has been involved in local and international humanitarian missions.
NGATINYOREI
Na
Tinashe Muchuri
“Ngatinyorei Vadikanwi, Tiriyo
Kumamana Ikoko, Ngatinyorei Pafoni Dzedu, Tinosvika.”
(Continued from last
newsletter)
Zvingava
zvinofadza kunzwa Simbarashe Jongwe ari kwake kumunda kwaari kurima mbesa
nenguruve kuMvuma uko achisimudzira pakasiirwa naIgnatius Zvarevashe paya paainyora
nezvedziva reGonawapotera. Zvingadii
chokwadi tikanzwawo nyanduri Abel Mauchi achibata zvizhinji nezvemo maGutu
mumusha maVaMakura sekunyorwa kwazvakaitwa naVaHamutyinei zviya muna Chinamanenji Hachifambisi. Kana kunzwa pakasiirwa naSharai Mukonoweshuro zviya
zvaaitaura nezvaVaMakandiona muna Akafuratidzwa
Moyo? Kana kutevera umwe wevedzinza rake Nobert Mafumhe Mutasa kutevera
zvenhoroondo dzamadzitateguru zviya munyaya dzakaita saana Mapatya, Hondo Huru, Misodzi Dzikita neRopa?
Pandabata
zvekwaGutu ndabva ndafunga munyori anonzi Obert Makumbinde uyo andakaziva musi
wandaindoshanyira nzvimbo dziri munyaya, nduri nenyayanyorwa dzaTrust Mutekwa
uyo anozivikanwa zvakanyanya sokuti Ticha Muzavazi. Mukufamba tichitsvaka
michovha yekundotisvitsa kumana rake rekwaZifunzi takakwira motokari yemukoma
wake aive mukuru wechikoro cheMakonde Primary School. Mukukurukurirana Mutekwa
akabva avhunza Obert kuti aive odzidzisa kupi sevanhu vakambodzidzisa vese
kudunhu reGokwe uye vachigoverana zvinyorwa. Nduri dzaMutekwa dzikazobuda muna Jakwara reNhetembo, Mudengu Munei, uye
muna Shoko Harivhikwi. Iye zvino
novhero yake Yokwira Mutarara
yakatotsikiswawo zvekare. Makumbinde haasati atsikisirwa zvinyorwa zvake.
Akasara seiko? Iye anoti akaora moyo mushure mekunge vamwe vaiti vanoziva
nezvekutsikiswa kwemabhuku vatora basa rake zvikashaya shumo yazvo uye
haachazivi nekwazvakazogumira nechinyorwa chacho aiti haachazivi pachiri asi
kumusha kwaGutu uko anozivikanwa semushamarari wepamagungano anogonesesa uye
azere nenyambo nemashoko azere mazano anovaka. Handiye ega. Kune vazhinji
vanonyora vari kumamana vane pfumvu yakadai.
Musi
wa22 Chivabvu, mutapi wenhau webepanhau reNewsday achishandira ari kumamana
edunhu reMashonaland East, Jairos Saunyama akanditumira mashoko paWhatsApp
achindiudza kuti mumwedzi waKubvumbi ainge atenderera achipinda mumaungano
akawanda ekupemberera zuva rekuwana kuzvitonga muZimbabwe uye akaona
vananyanduri vane zvipo zvinoshamisa avo vekuti vakawaniswa mikana
yekutsikisirwa zvinyorwa zvavo, uvaranomwe hwenyika ino hungapfuma zvikuru.
Akandivhunzawo kuti zvingaitwa sei kuti zvipo zviri kumaruwa izvi zviwane
mukana wekutsikisirwa zvinyorwa zvazvo kana kuti zvoitwa sei kuti vatsikisi
vaonewo kuti zvinyorwa zvinoshamisa zvakadai zvione zuva.
Zvakandisvitsa
kusakiso yakaita kuti muunganidzwa wenduri weTipeiwo
Dariro uzovepo. Iri raiva boka revanyori vechidiki vaishaya mukana wekuti
zvinyorwa zvavo zvibuditswe vakaona zvakakodzera kuti vachemere mukana unova
wavakazopiwa nekambani inotsikisa zvinyorwa zvakasiyana-siyana yeCollege Press.
Ndakafungawo
masangano evanyori aneta zvino agara pasi kuti zete pasina kana kusimuka akaita
seBudding Writers Association of Zimbabwe uye Zimbabwe Women Writers ayo aienda
kumamana achindovandudza zvipo zvavanyori vese uye kuvanongedzera mikana
zvaiita kuti vanyori vazhinji zvisinei nekuti unobvepi vawane mikana wekuti
zvinyorwa zvavo zvitsikiswe. Zvinonditondedza mumwe mudzidzisi aibva kudunhu
reMudzi ainzi Cosmas Mirosi uyo ane zvinyorwa zvake zvatandira nepasi rino uye
akawana mukana wekubuda mune rimwe CD renduri rakaitwa neBWAZ richidaidzwa kuti
Budding Echoes umo iye nevana vaaidzidzisa vakawana mukana wekundura nduri
dzavo zvokuti pasi riwane kutandara nadzo.
Kuda
Machingura kwaMarange uko anotodawo kuti nyaya dzake dzione chiedza chezuva
ariko ikoko. Ava vanyori vakasiyana-siyana vanomirira mazana evamwe vane zvipo
mumamana asi vasina buri rekubuda naro kuti zvinyorwa zvavo zviwane kushandiswa
nevaverengi. Kwayedza yakambopa vanhu mukana apo yaiita kuti vaduku vari muzvikoro
vawane mukana wekudetemba apo vamwe havo vaitambisa mukana uyu sekuti vaibva
vakoponora nduri dzakatsikiswa kare vodzipiringisha-piringisha vachidzitumira
kuKwayedza. Asi zvakadero kune vamwe vanyori vakasimudzwa nemukana weKwayedza
iwoyu nhasi uno vari mundima yekunyora iyi saShingi Manyengavana uyo
akatombodomwa kuti awaniswe ruremekedzo rweOutstanding poet muchikamu cheNAMA
Spoken Word. Iyo Kwayedza zvekare yaimbopa vanyori mukana wekunyora nyaya pfupi
uye kunyora ngano chaidzo izvo zvakaita kuti iniwo ndiwane kukwenenzvera
hunyoro hwangu ndichishandisa zvikamu izvozvi.
Matambudziko
aiwanikwa aya kare achitishaisa mikana yekutsikiswa iye zvino anofanira kupera.
WhatsApp idariro rakanaka rekuti vanhu vapote vachikanda fungwa dzavo. Usatya
kubirwa fungwa. Fungwa kana ichiri mumusoro mako haisi yako, inogona kunge iri
mumisoro mizhinji. Pfungwa kana waikanda pajekerere ikaonekwa haichabiki nekuti
une umbowo hwekupupura uridzi uye yatoreva mutupo wako. Peji yepaFesibhuku
ndeimwe nzira inoita kuti iwe munyori uonekwe kunze uko upenye, ugosimudzirwa
nevamwe vatsikisi vanenge vachiita miunganidzwa yenduri, kana nyaya pfupi kana
ngano kana vanenge vachida manovhero. Kupota uchikanda ndiko kuti uzivikanwe
mhando yemanyorere ako zvinoita kuti kana kwaita mukana unodaidzwawo mudariro
kuti utsikewo pako panopwipwitika huruva risakuzora usina chawaita asi ufare
uchiriona richikwira mudenga uchiti neniwo ndazviita. Dandemutande rizere
nemikana mizhinji chose nekuti iwo uno mukana wandatowaniswawo pano wekuti neniwo
ndiburitse zvinyorwa pamusoro pevanyori, varavi nezvinyorwa zvavo. Saka
musacheme neyekushaya mukana nekuti uno utori mukana mukuru unoita kuti nerimwe
zuva tese tigozotaura tichiti takadarika nepagwarodandetande reWINZIM rikatiita
kuti tive vanyori vanozivikanwa pasi rese. Tudikidiki
muunganidzwa wenyaya pfupi wakanyorwa naMemory Chirere wakabva mutunyaya
twaainyora tuchitsikiswa muchikamu cheKwayedza chaidaidzwa kuti TAMBA MWANA
TAMBA. Somewhere in This Country rakabudawo zvakare munyaya pfupi dzaiye Memory
Chirere dzaibuda mumapepanhau nemagwaronhau akasiyana-siyana. Kudai akafunga
nyaya yekuti angabirwa kudai nhasi uno tisina kana chinyorwa chake chimwe. Live Like An Artist raDavid Mungoshi
rakatangirawo zvakare pagwarodandetande renduri dzeChiRumbi. Ngatinyorei
vadikanwi, tiriyo kumamana ikoko, ngatinyorei pafoni dzedu, tinosvika. Hakuna
chinotimisa. Varavi vakamirira kurava zvinyorwa zvedu.
Muve
nenguva yakanaka dzamara tasangana muchikamu chinotevera.
THE YOUTH PERSPECTIVE
With
Mimi Machakaire
Perfectionism: A Writer’s
Biggest Challenge
At times, we all wonder what method each
writer uses to perfect his or her craft and the age-old question is: What does
it take to become the perfect writer? Does it take natural talent, age,
experience or knowledge, to write a great story? However, I think that the
answer to that is, “There is no right answer.”
Each
writer’s skill set is different. One may stare at a blank page for hours and no
inspiration will come to mind until they find it within themselves to write the
perfect story. Others may learn from writer’s workshops or years of schooling
from various intuitions to try to understand where the art that is literature
comes from. On the other hand, some may learn from simply talking to their
peers who are already experienced writers. The fact is that students of the
craft all have one thing in common, and that is, the struggle for perfectionism.
One of the biggest
challenges most writers have faced in the past, and still face
today, is that desire to always do better - the feeling that while what you
write may be good, there must be some way to make it better. Yet there is the
self-doubt that usually creeps in over time.
But I say, stop feeling sorry for yourself. You may think that your
problems are special, unique, or impossible for anyone else to understand but
you know what, as writers we are all struggling with the same basic problems.
You are not the only one who does not know what kind of writer one wants to
become. You are not the only one who spends hours tinkering with sentences –
and even still hates them by the end. So to all the writers out there, I have
this too say to you: Do not be afraid and
just write!
Almost every writer, including the successful ones, faces problems like
procrastination, perfectionism, and self-doubt at one time or another. Remember
you are not alone in this world and if it scares you, it only means you want to
be that unique writer much more than you realize.
So write with your gut, your fear, your knowledge, age, experience and
talent, all at once and your story will come out better than you could have
ever imagined it could be.
“Every writer’s challenge is to figure out exactly what it is that they
have to say specifically what only they can say,” said Ryan Holiday, American author.
MEMORIES OF 2019 ZIBF STILL
FRESH
High school students enjoy
a conversation with a book exhibitor
While
exhibitors at the ZIBF were generally few this year, the book fair had its own
bright spots which will linger in the minds of those who attended.
No doubt the Indaba Conference paved the
way for serious debate on how to restore the former vibrancy of the Zimbabwean
(and therefore African) book sector.
School children, teachers, and various
stakeholders savored various events, including the Live Literature where WIN participated
with its short ‘WIN HOUR’ program of poetry and readings. The Children’s
Reading Tent was packed most of the time with school children. The librarians’
workshop was also another platform for critical discussion of the way forward
for the library sector in Zimbabwe and the writers’ workshop, designed to
celebrate the departed heroes of our literature through readings of their
popular works, remains a memorable event. Four writers, Virginia Phiri, Tsitsi
Nomsa Ngwenya, Patrick Mhizha and Felix Mutasa, read their favourite passages
from works by departed writers Yvonne Vera, N Sigogo, Charles Mungoshi and
Norbert Mutasa and discussed why they liked the passage respectively.
Below
are some images from the Book Fair
Batsirai
Chigama reading from her NAMA award winning poetry collection
A
young poet performs at the Live Literature Centre
Francis
Matambirofa (left) held an interview with Dr Eventhough Ndlovu (centre) and Vuso
Mhlanga on the sub-topic Major Challenges and Opportunities in Zimbabwean
Literary Output Since 1980
Aaron
Chiundura Moyo was one of senior writers who attended the writers’ workshop
Felix
Mutasa, a vehement speaker, talked about his father Nobert Mutasa’s creative
process
NEW
BLOGS YOU REALLY NEED TO FOLLOW
The number of WIN favourite blogs is
gradually increasing and below are links to some which we have discovered.
Olivia Christian Paasche (pictured left), author of the
life-changing novel The Next of Kin, now shares her thoughts and few things
about her book on her new blog:
AND
The Harare City Library is also reaching
out to many readers via its new blog:
THANK
YOU!
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