2013 WIN Short Story Competition Shortlist Released

Renowned writer Memory Chirere (pictured above) who judged the 2013 WIN Short Story Competition

WIN-Zimbabwe wishes to announce this year's Short Story Competition shortlist in the Senior and Junior categories. Three winners will be drawn from each of the three sections which are outlined below. We say congratulations to the shortlisted writers! 

SENIOR CATEGORY

English Language

1. The Family Wedding by Tatenda Mavungo Alexio

2. The Bundle of Joy by Mercy Dhliwayo

3. Hollow Sands by Jane Nyamandwe Tendesayi

4. It Never Rains by Nosta Kumbewu

5. Paranoia by Tatenda Godfrey Kandenga

Shona Language

1. Bwanyanhekwe by Kudakwashe Chinyani

2. Munombozvitorerei? by Elijah Mahwamba

3. Kamuraramiro by Handsome Madzonga

4. Dambudzo by Trymore Tichafa Paraiwa

5. Nil

JUNIOR CATEGORY 

(English and Shona Combined)

1. Enormous Snake by Zakaria Ganyaupfu

2. Nomsa, My Wicked Little Sister by Panashe Mushambi

3. Vamwe Vanoti Chikwambo Ko Iwe by Kundai Teera

4. Nguruve Yakazvikanga by Evelyn Chiradza

5. The Shy Woman by Panashe Mushambi

Chirere Supports WIN-Zimbabwe's Workshop Re-structuring

Renowned author Memory Chirere who adjudicated last year and this year's editions of the WIN Short Story Competition made important observations that tally well with WIN's plan to re-structure its writing skills training workshops for members next year. 

 Chirere's 2013 report put weight behind WIN's plan to include novel writing in the writing skills training workshop scheduled for 2014.

"There were numerous entries pretending to be  short stories but one can tell that these are extracts from novels. This is all because writers' organizations don't seem to think that novel writing could be an issue that can be tackled at the level of a workshop," said the experienced short story writer.

He observed that lack of novel writing in most writers' workshops is serious and yet these  novel writing workshops are necessary and they can be done in series. Chirere said this is the reason why Zimbabwean novelists tend to be self-taught and they succeed through constant falling and rising.

"Novel writing workshops ended with the likes of the Literature Bureau," he said.

Still with Zimbabwean literary evolution that started in the 50's in mind, Chirere also observed that a few short stories have been written in Shona language and he encouraged short story writers to write in Shona and also Ndebele languages.

In the WIN Short Story Competition, there were more entries in English language than in Shona.

Tudikidiki, Chirere's NAMA Award winning collection of Shona short stories, stands out as one of the few recognizable works of that genre in the past ten years.

Zimbabwe Women Writers, formed in the early 90's, has made tremendous effort in encouraging short stories in local languages by publishing Masimba (2003) and Totanga Patsva (2005) which went on to win a NAMA Award in 2006.

Mazambuko, a short story anthology published by Weaver Press (Harare), is a Shona translation of the English stories taken from various books published by the same publisher. The translation was done by celebrated writers Charles Mungoshi and Musaemura Zimunya. 

Again, a gap in Shona short stories necessitated the translation.

Chirere, in his report, also advised WIN to take up play/script writing workshop for its members.

"Another area that is neglected is the writing of plays. Most theatre organizations dwell on workshops around directing, casting and acting. As a result, Theatre In the Park, for instance, has staged plays many of which have been authored by a single playwright. Therefore there is need for more play writing workshops," he said.

In the latest issue of its Newsletter, WIN announced that it has postponed the 2013 writing skills training workshop which follows up the short story competition. The workshop, says WIN, will now be held next year to include novel writing.

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KEEP WRITING!

WIN Newsletter, Issue No 73

EDITORIAL

 Alfred Beit Junior School pupils at a book donation event at Mabelreign Library last week

Welcome to our 73rd newsletter and we hope we find you in the right mood. The festive season is here once again. As in the beginning of time, human life has always been one precious gift that the world has ever had. Therefore we encourage each one of you to exercise extreme caution especially when driving. We join South Africa and the world in general in mourning the death of one of Africa's great sons Nelson 'Madiba Mandela. May his soul rest in peace. For WIN, the year has been hectic and exciting. However, we would like to announce we have postponed the Short Story writing skills training workshop for entrants of 2013 Short Story Competition. The workshop will now be held early next year with novel writing included. We have also cancelled the annual WIN Writers' End of Year Get-Together. The Board's decision to postpone the two activities comes as strategic way of re-planning so as to provide quality workshops and events for members next year. We encourage our members to apply for the Writivism Creative Writing Workshop and Short Story Prize.  Meanwhile, enjoy what newsletter has to offer and a Merry Xmas to you all.  

                   JESSIE MAJOME INSPIRED BY CHILDHOOD READING HABIT

Jessie Majome speaking at Mabelreign Library 

Harare West MP and lawyer Jessie Fungai Majome harbours affectionate reminiscences of her early school days as a reader in Mabelreign community where her parents moved to in 1981.
Speaking at a function held last week to mark the handing over of children’s books by the Australian Embassy to the Mabelreign Library, Majome said Mabelreign, particularly Alfred Beit primary school where she learned and the library where she deeply fell in love with books, arouses fond memories of her formative years.
 “We came to live in Mabelreign in 1981 when I was in Grade Four and was enrolled at Alfred Beit School. The school had no library and still does not have one today but there was a symbiotic relationship between the school and the library. We would borrow books from the library and read them at school,” she said.
The ‘we’ she referred to in her speech included some of her contemporaries with whom she grew up in Mabelreign who have now become persons of note in different fields.
Majome singled out award-winning author Petina Gappah whom she said also came to live in Mabelreign in 1981.
“I remember Petina. She was such a bookworm. I am not surprised she’s become a great writer that she is today,” she said.
However, the library which became Majome’s early springboard to the person that she is today went through hard times in the later years. The windows were broken, the roof leaked, the grass grew uncut around the building and books were fewer.
Touched by the state of the library two years ago, Majome facilitated the repair of the windows and with other volunteers from the community, she worked hard in various ways to bring back glory to the place of knowledge.
“This library had become a source of heartbreak, almost ashes of its former self, unloved and abandoned. I am happy now it has improved,” she said.
Turning to the Alfred Beit Grade three  pupils who also came to witness the hand-over of books, Majome said, “Never never forget to read books because books teach you discipline. I am hoping that if you continue to read, you learn so much and beyond that, you will enjoy yourselves and write books.’
She later planted a tree at the library in celebration of the gift of books donated bythe Australian Embassy.
Library Committee member, Mrs. Katrina Wallace Karenga, who presided over the ceremony, said the Embassy of Australia donated books to the main Harare City Library and a majority of these books were being handed over to Mabelreign Library as community outreach.
Australian Ambassador in Zimbabwe, Matthew Neuhaus, who was responsible for the book donation, applauded Mabelreign community for coming together to renovate the library. He said he was glad libraries and bookshops are emerging in the country and called for continued cultural exchange between Zimbabwe and Australia.
“The contribution comes in a way from the boys and girls in Australia. It’s a contribution just to keep the library going,” he said and added that he hoped the library will grow to have internet access which is important in the modern world.
According to Mabelreign librarian and committee member, Devi Pakkri, the library is engaging the University of Zimbabwe Library Computer Center to resuscitate the internet section in order to generate income for the maintenance of the library.
Pakkri said credit for the library’s improved outlook should go mainly to well-wishers, parents and friends who donated plants, paint, repaired the roof and donated some books. She acknowledged the tremendous work done by library gardener Edwin Sekanakoni who transformed the landscape outside the building.
The team of volunteers now plans to build a gazebo at the library to encourage outdoor reading acivities for children.
Also witnessing the handing over of the children’s books was Murray McCartney of Weaver Press who said he was glad the spirit of rejuvenation was spilling over to communities.
“It’s very exciting that libraries away from the CBD are getting books and encouraging more people to join,” he said.
Harare City Library committee member Memory Kanyati also expressed gratitude for the support the Mabelreign library received.
“I am happy with the support. Reaching out is important. I urge more corporates to come on board especially to maintain the branch libraries,” said Kanyati.
The event was also attended by Mr. T P Chikepe representing Book Café Book Shop, Irene Staunton of Weaver Press, Mrs. Mverechena who is Harare City Council District Officer for Mabelreign and Marlborough, and grade three pupils from Alfred Beit School.

                         POET DONATES HER ANTHOLOGY TO WIN-ZIM
  

Some copies of Matters of Life and a CD

Christmas season has started well for Writers International Network Zimbabwe (WIN-Zimbabwe) which has received a gift of twelve copies of the poetry anthology Matters of Life from poet Sympathy Sibanda.
Sibanda said she has donated the books as a way of showing her gratitude to all the people who have helped her in her writing career and also to mark the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence.
“Matters of Life is my first book published while I was at school. Many people such as my parents, critics and publisher contributed to this occurrence and therefore it is in this spirit that I feel I have an onus to make an impact in someone’s life, helping other artists achieve their dreams. Matters of Life is the best gift that I could give since it’s a symbol of sacrifice and determination,” said Sibanda.
Published in 2009 by Veriest Solutions International in Harare, Matters of Life is described as a ‘collection of moralistic poems that aim not only at advising but entertaining as well as ensuring a positive attitude towards life’.
WIN Director Beaven Tapureta humbly welcomed the donation, saying it adds value to the association’s collection of books by younger local authors.
“WIN encourages new writers to read published works by other new writers as this inspires and disabuse them of the fear of losing,” added Tapureta. Sibanda, who is a 2010 University of Zimbabwe graduate in Sociology, has expanded her writing craft to include performance. In 2012, she produced with friends a gospel music CD titled On His Bosom with all the five tracks on it taken from her unpublished manuscript with the same title. She is currently working for local-based international non-governmental organization.
Over the past years WIN has received books, some of them autographed, from authors such as Memory Chirere, Sue Nyathi and Novuyo Rosa Tshuma. Various individuals and organizations such as Theresa Muchemwa, Beatrice Sithole and Zimbabwe Reads have also donated books to WIN from their own writing studios. The books are helpful to new writers.

        EPWORTH OUTREACH SETS UP CHAPTER COMMITTEE

                                                                                 

 WIN Outreach Programme which started in 2012 has set up an Epworth Branch Committee which will assist in monitoring the Programme and take it to new levels.
At a meeting chaired by WIN Director Beaven Tapureta and held on Friday, November 29, 2013, at Makomo Primary School, writers’ clubs patrons selected a committee from among themselves and discussed different issues including plans for next year.
Supa Mafuta, an ambitious new writer who has sacrificed his time to volunteer for WIN-Zimbabwe in Epworth, emerged as a unanimously selected Chairperson. The patrons said they were happy with Mafuta’s commitment to the outreach.
The other committee members are: Mr. L Dube from Epworth Methodist Academy (Vice Chair), Ms. Tatenda Madziire of Young Africa Academy (Secretary), Mr. James Mugandani of Kubatana Primary School (Treasurer), Mr. Brighton Muvindi of Muguta Secondary (Publicity Secretary) and Ms. Shinga Jaravaza of Domboramwari High School (Vice Publicity Secretary).  The three ordinary committee members are Mrs. Muzambwa of Makomo Primary School, Mr. Walter Tarambahama of Epworth High School and Mr. Dumbura of Chinamano Primary School.
One of the major tasks the committee set for 2014 is to reach out to the elderly people in Epworth who can come and tell stories to the children so that they (children) are not deprived of knowledge about their culture and history.
As most of the committee members are dedicated teachers as well as writers in their own right, it is then safe to say Epworth is set to soar new great heights. The Epworth Community Outreach Programme is being supported by the Culture Fund of Zimbabwe in partnership with Sweden.

                             2014 WRITIVISM WORKSHOPS - A REMINDER

Unpublished writers in Zimbabwe are being urged to apply for the 2014 Writivism creative writing Workshops and Short Story Prize which are one of the greatest opportunities already in store for them next year.The one-day workshops which are being conducted by Centre for African Cultural Excellence (CACE) will be conducted in five cities (Abuja, Kampala, Harare, Cape Town and Nairobi).

Monica Cheru, author of Chivi Sunset, is coordinating and will facilitate the Harare workshop with other Zimbabwean authors. According to CACE, the workshops will be held simultaneously on February 8, 2014 in the five cities and are designed in a way that will see participants being attached to a mentor.
CACE also says, "Participants shall develop flash fiction stories for publication in several African newspapers and entries to the Writivism short story prize. The prize shall receive entries from all regions of Africa. Longlisted stories in the competition shall be published in an annual Writivism anthology while shortlisted writers shall attend public readings in Kampala. The winners shall be announced at the Writivism mini-Festival on 21st June 2014 after which they shall tour a few schools around Kampala."

Overall winner will be awarded Ugandan Shillings 1000 000 while the First and Second Runner-ups will get Ugandan Shillings 500 000 and 250 000 respectively. Each regional winner will pocket Ugandan Shillings 200 000.
The deadline for applications is December 31, 2013.
Writivism was initiated by CACE in 2012/13 in Uganda and aims at " promoting emerging African writers".

Guidelines for applications are as follows:

    Applicants must be resident on the African continent;
    Applicants must not have published a book before;
    All application material must be put in the body of the email; no attachments whatsoever;
    Deadline for submission is 31st December 2013 midnight, East African time;
    Applications must be made to cace.director@gmail.com;
    Those accepted to the workshop will be notified by 20th January 2014;
    The workshop is non-residential and participants are responsible for the transport to and from the venue;
    Application Email subject should read ‘Writivism 2014 Application’;
    Include Address (including phone contact), Country of Residence, Full Legal Name, Gender, a 100-word maximum bio and a 400-700 word writing sample in the application;
    Participants in past Writivism workshops can apply if they have since not published a book;
    The writing sample must be fiction.

For updates and to respond, Keep checking writivism site  and the Writivism Facebook Group.

POETRY FROM EPWORTH
My Dear Mother

I wrote your name in the sea
but the water washed it away
I wrote it again in the air
but the wind blew it away
        Now I have found a better place
        to write it in. My heart.
        You are so special in my life
        Losing you hurt me to the bone
Your love makes me feel safe
Your motherly kiss is like sunrise
It makes me feel alright
        You gave birth to me
        Educated me
        Clothed me
        Cared for me
        Without you there is no happiness
        In my life
When I see you
My heart rejoices
When you hold my hand
I feel the softness of a mother's love
        You are my world
        You are worthy to be called a mother

By Tafadzwa Maraidza (Form 1, Domboramwari High)

Munotidzidzisei?

Ko Munotidzidziseiko?
Ko murichiiko kwatiri isu?
Zvamunenge imi vadiki

Nhai baba ko hamuzivi
Mukadzi mubatsiri
Chii chinokudzimaidzai
Kuti muone mai sebhora zvaro?

Ndaiti marambadoro
Doro makarega
Asi kusafunga hamuna kurega
Munoti zvamburira mai takadzvokora tose
Munotidzidzisei?

Munodashura mai senhundurwa takayeva
Kutsonda mai
Kuvagarira matundundu mai
Muchivaremadza shaya mai

Chinangwa chenyu baba ndechipi?
Tiite ruvengo nemi here?
Tifungirane pachedu vana?
Tizive kuti dzenyu hadzidhonzi mushe?
Munotidzidzisei?

Na Beloved Maridzanyere (Epworth High School)

PICTURES FROM THE BOOK DONATION EVENT AT MABELREIGN LIBRARY

                                                                                     

           Australian Ambassador in Zimbabwe, Matthew Neuhaus

Some of the guests at the event

THE TREE PLANTING MOMENT

                                     

WIN SHORT STORY COMPETITION SHORTLIST COMING SOON! 

URGENT Call for Submissions for Africa39:

Dear Friend,

We have some exciting news for published writers under the age of 40!

In April 2014, Africa39 will announce 39 of the most promising African writers of fiction under the age of 40. Binyavanga Wainana, a renowned Kenyan author, has been tasked with putting together a longlist of 120 of the most promising fiction authors under the age of 40 from Africa South of the Sahara and diaspora. 39 writers on this list will go on to be named the Africa39. The Africa39 Project is a partnership between the Hay Festival of Literature & the Arts Ltd., UK; and the Rainbow Book Club (Port Harcourt, Nigeria).
We would love for all published authors to apply for Africa39 because it is important that African children's writers represent on this list. We are writing to Binyavanga with a list of authors whose applications he should expect so please send us an email by end of day tomorrow (5th December) if you are interested and we will include you on this list.
We received this information quite late and have been told that the deadline for submission is 10th December. It is therefore crucial that you begin your application immediately, since there are only 6 days left.
Please find all the information you will need in this link https://docs.google.com/document/d/12K3ZRHJrpuduK-CtaR37vR2DlGoMiIU8e2qRmtOomo0/edit# or below:

                             URGENT Call for submissions: Africa39
 

Dear Friends, Writers, publishers and African Literary organisations,


My name is Binyavanga Wainaina. I am the coordinator of the Africa39 Longlist.
I write to you with some urgency. I have recently been contracted to put together a long-list of 120 of most promising fiction authors under the age of 40 from Africa South of the Sahara and diaspora.
This is a huge undertaking and will lead to an announcement of 39 of the most promising African writers under the age of 40 in April 2014. Time is of the essence.

I have to submit this longlist by the 15th of December 2013. I would like to encourage all published fiction writers who qualify to apply.

As many of you may have heard, Port Harcourt City in Rivers State, Nigeria has been conferred the status of UNESCO World Book Capital in 2014. It is the first African city south of the Sahara to be given such status.

The Port Harcourt Book Fair (PHBF) is an initiative of the Governor of Rivers State, Nigeria and is an event for writers, book sellers, literary connoisseurs and all major players in the book industry.

The PHBF in 2014 with Port Harcourt as the World Book Capital City will therefore be a major pan-African and international literary event which will significantly advance the state of literacy, literature, and publishing in Africa.

I am asking you please to distribute this application document to your contacts, mailing lists, writers, media, and other relevant networks and forums.


PLEASE refer all replies & queries ONLY to:  africa39project@gmail.com

All updates will be posted on twitter @africa39list and you are advised to check regularly.

This details in this document may be modified slightly and you are advised to refer to this document before submitting your work.


What is Africa39 Project?
The Africa39 Project has been set up as a key part of the programs and celebrations of Port Harcourt UNESCO World Book Capital 2014.  In April 2014, Africa39 will announce 39 of the most promising African writers of fiction under the age of 40.

The Africa39 Project is a partnership between the Hay Festival of Literature & the Arts Ltd., UK; and the Rainbow Book Club (Port Harcourt, Nigeria).

The Africa39 Project will contact and liaise with African literary prizes, writers groups, literary magazines, and literary festivals.

I understand this is coming to you at short notice. As you imagine this undertaking is huge, and I have only recently become involved in this project. This is a huge opportunity for a new generation of writers, and I urge you to encourage as many as possible to submit an application consideration. Details below.
 
Rules for Applicants.

•     Writers may apply on their own behalf

•     Agents and publishers can apply on behalf of writers in their stable.

•     Writers must be under 40 years of age  (born after January 1st, 1974).

•     Writers must have published at least one work of fiction.

•     By “published” we mean that you should have published a piece of fiction in print (including self-published) or on-line (including blogs).  The piece you submit for the Africa39 project, however, need not have already been published; it may be a new piece.

•     We are keen to promote writers who show promise.

•     The judges’ decision is final and they will not enter into any correspondence with entrants regarding their decisions.

•     This prize is open only to African writers.

•    By African writer we mean that you are a resident of; or were born in one of the countries listed below.  By African writers, we also mean that any writer who has one or more parents from any of these countries:  Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria,  Réunion, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Saint Helena, São Tomé and Príncipe Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Western Sahara, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

•     Writers from the Diaspora(s) of any one or more of the countries listed above are encouraged to apply.

•     The author must provide the following essential information on the cover page: full name, date of birth, country of origin, contact details: e-mail, telephone number (including country-code), twitter handle.

•        a 200 word biography.

•        a short bibliography of your published literary work.

•     The author must also attach: a scanned copy of the biographical page from one of the following: your passport,your official national identification card,or your driver’s licence, a square author photograph in .png format  minimum of 180x180 pixels.         

    The deadline for ALL submissions is midnight (East African Time/GMT+3) Dec 10th, 2013.
    ALL applicant submissions should be made VIA EMAIL ONLY TO: africa39project@gmail.com. 

    All questions should be directed ONLY to this email address: africa39project@gmail.com  or on Twitter @africa39list

    Please ensure your submissions keep strictly to the guidelines and application criteria we have provided in this document.
 
Application Criteria

•     Applicants must submit one creative piece, that they feel is their strongest work of fiction. This may be a short story, or an excerpt of a longer work of fiction. We are open to creative non-fiction submissions, or an excerpt of a non-fiction novel. 

•     The submitted piece must be no longer than 5000 words.

•  The submitted piece must be typed, double-spaced, and delivered ONLY in Times New Roman, 12pt.

•         The submitted creative piece must only be sent as TWO document attachments, each with a cover page containing the details specified in the rules.

•         One of the TWO document attachments must be a Microsoft Word (.doc) file, and another must be a Adobe Portable Document format (.pdf) file.

•         These two documents should have page numbers.

•         Please ensure your submissions keep strictly to the guidelines we have given.

•         With each creative submission, make sure to include, after the cover page, a 500 word synopsis if the submission is an excerpt of a larger work.

•         We strongly encourage submissions of work in African languages. If there is no professionally produced literary translation of creative submission in an African language, we will arrange to have one done.

•         Translations into English of creative submissions originally written in French/German/Spanish/Portuguese or other language are welcome.

•         Where necessary, we will arrange for professional literary translations of creative submissions into English.

•     ALL Submissions, as well as queries, should be e-mailed to: africa39project@gmail.com. 

•     Submissions will be read by a panel headed by Binyavanga Wainaina which will submit  a long-list of 120 authors to the final judges by 15th December 2013.

•     The distinguished judging panel will include the following eminent literary figures: Elechi Amadi, Tess Onwueme, and Margaret Busby.

•     The judges will select the final 39 winners from this long-list of 120, and announce them in April 2014 at the London Bookfair and in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

•     Rainbow Book Club and Hay Festival will contact the 39 authors selected for the Africa39 Project to inform them that they have been selected, and to commission from each, a short story or extract that will be published in the anthology. The prestigious publishing house Bloomsbury is committed to publishing the anthology in English by October 2014 if the commissioned works by the authors are ready by end of March 2014.

•     Nobel Prize winner Professor Wole Soyinka will write the introduction to the anthology.

•     Renowned editor, Ellah Allfrey (OBE), will edit the anthology. 

•     The judges’ decision is final and under no circumstances will they enter into any correspondence with entrants regarding their decisions.

•     The copyright of each submission remains with its owner.

Warmly,
Nanama B. Acheampong
Programs Officer - Golden Baobab Prize  | Golden Baobab
W: www.goldenbaobab.org T: +233-246-156970 (Ghana)
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GoldenBaobab |Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/goldenbaobab

 _________________________________________________________

WIN Newsletter, Issue No 73 coming soon

Member of Parliament for Harare West, Jessie Fungai Majome, holds in her left hand the tree which she then planted at Mabelreign Library on Thursday, November 28, 2013, to mark the donation of children’s books to the library by the Australian Embassy. Mabelreign Library is a branch of the main Harare City Library. Full details of the event and other updates will be in the forthcoming 73rd issue of our WIN Newsletter….

COMING TOGETHER FOR THE CHILDREN

___________________________________________

Harare City Library Renovation Completed

The Harare City Library has put on a new look after the Culture Fund of Zimbabwe Trust in partnership with the Embassy of Sweden came to its rescue. On November 15, 2013, the Harare City Library officially celebrated the completion of the refurbishment project. Below are pictures from the ceremony. Enjoy!

Inside the new look library

 Farai Mpfunya, Culture Fund Director who also directed the ceremony

Dzikwa Trust Children entertained the guests with powerful traditional dance

 Some of the guests at the ceremony which was also graced by National Arts Council Director Elvas Mari, Former Harare Mayor Mr Muchadeyi Masunda, writers such as Virginia Phiri, Ignatius Mabasa, Lisa Maria and others, Culture Fund Board Chairperson, librarians, and representatives from different organizations.

 Books donated from Sweden

 Dzikwa Trust children performing a Swedish play

 Alois Sagota, a.k.a  Sagota Sagota, a poet, who is also mentor of Dzikwa Trust Children, shows the other thing his hands are capable of doing

 Director General of Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), Ms. Charlotte Petri Gornitzka gives her speech

 H.E Ambassador of Sweden in Zimbabwe, Lars Ronnas

Dr. Thokozile Chitepo, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sports, Arts and Culture. She described the library as the centre of empowerment particularly for young people.

Some of the books donated include The Father by August Striedberg.

Dominic Benhura, one of Zimbabwe's best sculptors poses for a photo with Herald journalist Stanley Mushava

You can read more about the event here.

Reading is Power!