Zimbabwean Poet Gives a Message of Hope

When a country plunges into a deteriorating state like Zimbabwe, when a large percentage of its citizens flee to other countries to make a living, when over 80 per cent of its citizens are jobless, when corruption grips it with relentless cruelty, and when all possibilities of fair governance and respect for the will of the citizens are banished to a hot desert of chaos, the last word one would want to hear in reference to that country is hope. For one poet, when all else fails, hope is what we have left, hope is what keeps us going, what helps humanity not only "to endure" but also "to prevail", as William Faulker would say.

Shilla Mutamba, an emerging Zimbabwean poet based in Leicestershire, UK, believes that as a poet she is called to give a message of hope. Her poetry grips the reader with its clarity and optimism. In describing her role, Mutamba says:
"There are enough writers who talk about depression and despondency. I believe my mandate is different. Personally, I do not enjoy depressing poetry. I would like to deliver poetry that is light and simple enough for people to enjoy. If my writings can be both relevant and inspirational, I believe I would have succeeded in executing my task."

And Shilla Mutamba is succeeding in "executing" her task. Her publication credits date back to her high school days in Zimbabwe, when as a Girls High School student she had access to writing workshop and activities. In addition to close to Harare Gardens, where writers met often, Girls High hosted national writing conferences and was a regular venue for such organizations as the Budding Writers Association of Zimbabwe (BWAZ) and Zimbabwe Women Writers (ZWW).Mutamba became a member of the ZWW and later appeared in the organization's first poetry anthology, published in 1994. The anthology featured her two poems, "I Am Me" and "Stubborn Fact". The two poems, with searing clarity, give a voice to oppressed female personae, who are detemined to survive despite the challenges life offers. In fact, the challenges make them stronger and hopeful for change.

Mutamba has also published work in Tsotso magazine, Munyori Poetry Journal, Loughborough Echo, UK's Forward Press, and she is featured on Author's Den. Her poem, "Beautiful Isle", has been published in a new anthology entitled "People and Places", which will be available in book stores soon. The poem shows its persona's appreciation of the beauty of the Isle of Wight, the poet's "home away from home". Notice it is not presented as the only home for the persona, but a second home, the poet's first home in England. Appreciaton of exile as home is an optimistic approach to life, a realization that you can gain a sense of belonging wherever you find yourself, that the idea of a home can be extended beyond the physical boundaries of a country.

Shilla Mutamba says that her poetry draws from her experiences: "First and foremost, I am a woman and so I probably write as one. Over and above that, I am a Christian and I hope my writings reflect this aspect of my being as well. However, it is my desire to keep my writings real and relevant."

As a Zimbabwean poet, she is inspired by the Zimbabwean experience, but, as "Beautiful Isle" shows, she also writes from her experiences in England. On the subject of experiences and poetry, Mutamba states," Like most people, I have had my fair share of bad experiences. However, I deliberately refuse to focus on these. I believe everything I’ve been through was preparing me for where I ought to be.I believe anyone can make it despite what they’ve been through. This is the message which I hope to convey through most of poems."

Indeed, this basic belief in hope where it is uncertain has helped many Zimbabweans exist in difficult conditions. Some have called it stoicism, while others have called it resilience. It has also been called the fear of war, the avoidance of conflict, the fear of confrontation and the lack of bravery. Well, poets like Shilla Mutamba, often not in a hurry to offer conclusions about life changes, understand the complexity of a life whose manifestations might be so subtle that we may fail to detect them. Some writers have chosen to be silent about the conflict in Zimbabwe, others have thundered on and produced poetry praising one political party and despising another. Others are waiting for everything to settle down; then they will produce poems about the conflict, or not. Then there are those who seek to present issues that are "fresh, funny, modern, simple, light, inspiring, refreshing". Shilla Mutamba belongs to this group, and her message of hope is attracting the attention of international publishers.

Shilla Mutamba holds an MSC in Biomedical Science from the University of Portsmouth and is a Fellow of the Institute of Biomedical Science (UK). She was born in Zimbabwe where she studied Medical Laboratory Sciences at the University of Zimbabwe. She then relocated to the Isle of Wight to take up a post as a Biomedical Scientist. She currently lives in Leicestershire with her family.