tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74113029451391988342024-03-21T20:02:50.585-07:00WEALTH OF IDEASThis blog celebrates creativity in the world of ideas, exploring a wealth of artforms.Emmanuel Sigaukehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04171063918198721862noreply@blogger.comBlogger874125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411302945139198834.post-69619627813680708042024-01-25T14:04:00.000-08:002024-01-25T14:04:12.168-08:00Ronasi Fiction Prize for Mototi Ward Primary Schools (Zimbabwe) <div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">The Ronald Sigauke Memorial Fiction Prize, in collaboration with Chisiya Writers’ Workshop in Mazvihwa, Zimbabwe, announces the first edition of the RONASI Fiction Prize for Grade 7 students at Mototi Ward Primary Schools (Gudo, Mototi, and Gwen'ombe Dip). This prize is offered by the Sigauke family in memory of Ronald Sigauke, who died at the age of 7 in Harare. He was in primary school and had already expressed his dream to get an advanced education. </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Although his school in Glen View was about 20 minutes' walk from home, he had asked his uncle in America to send him a bicycle so he could cycle to school, to arrive quicker. He was young but already was showing signs of an emerging scholar. This competition honors his ambition by making education and bicycles the two themes contestants can base their stories.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Themes: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Contestants will choose one only.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><b><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Education and success</span></b><span style="font-size: 11pt;">: Your story should feature characters doing all they can to get an education. This might be through their own effort, or through the efforts of their parents, guardians or their school. You can show the challenges they face and how they overcome them. The story may also be about other challenges or experiences, but it should still have the theme of education in the background. In other words, a story about someone losing a parent may connect to how that affects their educational success.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><b><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Bicycles</span></b><span style="font-size: 11pt;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you choose this theme, the subject of your stories can be about anything, but make sure you feature a bicycle. If you want to be more experimental, you may also make the bicycle a character, like a person, telling its own story. The important thing is to write an interesting story that mentions a bicycle playing an important role.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Guidelines<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The story can be in Shona or English<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The story should be between 800 to 1500 words<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">When possible, the stories should be typed<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The story should not show your name. Submit your name on a separate piece of paper where you give a short bio about yourself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">This competition is for students in Grade 7 at these primary schools: Mototi, Gwen'ombe Dip, and Gudo. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Submit one story only.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Contestants chosen for the top five list will work with an editor who suggests improvements to their stories. The writers will revise their stories and resubmit them for final consideration. Three winners will be chosen from the top five.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b>RONASI Fiction Prize Money</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">First Prize: $130<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Second Prize: $70<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Third Prize $50</span></div>
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<b>Deadlines</b>: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Submit your short story by February 29, 2024<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The top five stories will be announced on March 14, 2024<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The winners will be announced on March 28, 2024<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>The judge/s will be announced soon. </b> </div>
<br />Emmanuel Sigaukehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04171063918198721862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411302945139198834.post-16803950525498813262023-07-18T13:37:00.003-07:002023-07-18T13:37:38.865-07:00Bob Stanley Hosts Cool Poetry on Hot Nights <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8mKWZdgbR7ZLsHK2r6cUA4rLeOpVsGg50rP7gYKxLMYT7jOZBinTdWKF6MvPTITGv8b7f-qmYNTndE6MTpXxYWk5HMFIbWW99Wx2IV9ejEs38x4dZRLv0AeCCnS11XvgqrjA8VpKh1KHFU5qIddr5gDwcAqc2CNub9PkqCL1-8x5RJV8ZOxtHQLN32Bo" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1294" data-original-width="936" height="804" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8mKWZdgbR7ZLsHK2r6cUA4rLeOpVsGg50rP7gYKxLMYT7jOZBinTdWKF6MvPTITGv8b7f-qmYNTndE6MTpXxYWk5HMFIbWW99Wx2IV9ejEs38x4dZRLv0AeCCnS11XvgqrjA8VpKh1KHFU5qIddr5gDwcAqc2CNub9PkqCL1-8x5RJV8ZOxtHQLN32Bo=w660-h804" width="660" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Emmanuel Sigaukehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04171063918198721862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411302945139198834.post-54206148073233529252022-03-12T19:02:00.005-08:002022-03-12T19:08:43.254-08:00California Launch of NoViolet Bulawayo's 'Glory" <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgPz6wALQ_7Da-aW1ZAibXdebc0o6-Xh9u9YcYliIEr-8uqY-3fZYi4CFHlVzY9dqQhtkkxKRHJGHswZn-XbfH1KxLCkGY4RejUrOSy57CrpjP8Y2ctP6MxL6dTSAM0vxzGDmv2Y_t2D_dAeKcF85VlsFVoj8VZU1nDLob9jRgrTXMxIbCKNTcJF3FS" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgPz6wALQ_7Da-aW1ZAibXdebc0o6-Xh9u9YcYliIEr-8uqY-3fZYi4CFHlVzY9dqQhtkkxKRHJGHswZn-XbfH1KxLCkGY4RejUrOSy57CrpjP8Y2ctP6MxL6dTSAM0vxzGDmv2Y_t2D_dAeKcF85VlsFVoj8VZU1nDLob9jRgrTXMxIbCKNTcJF3FS" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I will be in conversation with NoViolet Bulawayo on Wednesday, March 16, for the California Virtual launch of the her new novel, Glory. You can<a href="https://www.crowdcast.io/e/skylit-bulawayo/register" target="_blank"> register on Crowd Cast to be part of this even</a>t. Below a description of the event offered by the organizers: <br /><p></p><p></p><p> </p><blockquote><p>From the award-winning author of the Booker-prize finalist We Need New Names, a blockbuster of a novel that chronicles the fall of an oppressive regime, and the chaotic, kinetic potential for real liberation that rises in its wake.</p><p><br /></p><p>Glory centers around the unexpected fall of Old Horse, a long-serving leader of a fictional country, and the drama that follows for a rumbustious nation of animals on the path to true liberation. Inspired by the unexpected fall by coup, in November 2017, of Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe's president of nearly four decades, Bulawayo's bold, vividly imagined novel shows a country imploding, narrated by a chorus of animal voices who unveil the ruthlessness and cold strategy required to uphold the illusion of absolute power, and the imagination and bullet-proof optimism to overthrow it completely.</p><p> </p><p>As with her debut novel We Need New Names, Bulawayo's fierce voice and lucid imagery immerses us in the daily life of a traumatized nation, revealing the dazzling life force and irrepressible wit that lies barely concealed beneath the surface of seemingly bleak circumstances. At the center of this tumult is Destiny, who has returned to Jidada from exile to bear witness to revolution--and focus on the unofficial history and the potential legacy of the women who have quietly pulled the strings in this country.</p><p> </p><p>The animal kingdom--its connection to our primal responses and resonance in the mythology, folktales, and fairytales that define cultures the world over--unmasks the surreality of contemporary global politics to help us understand our world more clearly, even as Bulwayo plucks us right out of it. Glory is a blockbuster, an exhilarating ride, and crystalizes a turning point in history with the texture and nuance that only the greatest of fiction can.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></blockquote><p></p><div><br /></div><p><br /></p>Emmanuel Sigaukehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04171063918198721862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411302945139198834.post-5601802684872373212022-03-05T17:32:00.000-08:002022-03-05T17:32:21.706-08:00Introducing Ipikai, A New Zimbabwean Poetry Journal<p> A new Zimbabwean online journal has just been launched. This journal is the first of many planned initiatives by the Zimbabwe Poetry Society, a new organization that brings together Zimbabwean poets at home and abroad. </p><p>The journal's mission is "to <span style="background-color: white; color: #272626; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">make Zimbabwean poetry more visible and accessible locally and around the world and to make an impactful contribution to the global community of poets." </span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #272626; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 30px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;">Ipikai Poetry Journal plans to publish one issue every quarter. Visit their <a href="https://ipikai.org/submit/" style="--linkdeco: underline; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: var(--linkDeco);">submissions</a> page for more information. There you will see detailed instructions on how to submit. </p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #272626; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 30px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><br /></p>Emmanuel Sigaukehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04171063918198721862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411302945139198834.post-9136315753316473412022-03-05T09:21:00.003-08:002022-03-05T09:21:24.145-08:00Kumbulani Bandula Muleya Reflects on the 2022 NAMA AWARDS <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6VwQxgJXTQ47xgSCQO2WF7YHowEcgoA0zb--KtOoJtQrD-aCyd1WAZ5I42NiYNlKYIdQrej0OnJHY7ofUjHulTMUNsQbwgtRoI5r_xI-ply0oWfBIClIW544QR3zyihARxPNS_z90CaT-apU5XIf6gKhdTGfU_t9P9F05enc6NTRcp0icDxqzWED-=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6VwQxgJXTQ47xgSCQO2WF7YHowEcgoA0zb--KtOoJtQrD-aCyd1WAZ5I42NiYNlKYIdQrej0OnJHY7ofUjHulTMUNsQbwgtRoI5r_xI-ply0oWfBIClIW544QR3zyihARxPNS_z90CaT-apU5XIf6gKhdTGfU_t9P9F05enc6NTRcp0icDxqzWED-=s320" width="180" /></a></div><br />HARARE, ZIMBABWE: I<span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">t was all glamour and glitz at the recent </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a class="oajrlxb2 g5ia77u1 qu0x051f esr5mh6w e9989ue4 r7d6kgcz rq0escxv nhd2j8a9 nc684nl6 p7hjln8o kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x jb3vyjys rz4wbd8a qt6c0cv9 a8nywdso i1ao9s8h esuyzwwr f1sip0of lzcic4wl gpro0wi8 q66pz984 b1v8xokw" href="https://www.facebook.com/namaszim/?__cft__[0]=AZUZaCBsHnUwF8aELH2yYOv7dYdMGP5tqyVZQUyY72VvBiI0rrJvDftzqbaaZB9kj-nr9FNYUHMzyd9JzluljvyIa46LI25HNvaUiN_9GjLj0BCY2ul0kMoDCIdRENm6fJFqsZo6xAI10ibLXunEVlSR&__tn__=kK-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0"><span class="nc684nl6" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">National Arts Merit Awards</span></a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> held at Rainbow Towers on Friday last week in what </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a class="oajrlxb2 g5ia77u1 qu0x051f esr5mh6w e9989ue4 r7d6kgcz rq0escxv nhd2j8a9 nc684nl6 p7hjln8o kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x jb3vyjys rz4wbd8a qt6c0cv9 a8nywdso i1ao9s8h esuyzwwr f1sip0of lzcic4wl gpro0wi8 q66pz984 b1v8xokw" href="https://www.facebook.com/natartszim/?__cft__[0]=AZUZaCBsHnUwF8aELH2yYOv7dYdMGP5tqyVZQUyY72VvBiI0rrJvDftzqbaaZB9kj-nr9FNYUHMzyd9JzluljvyIa46LI25HNvaUiN_9GjLj0BCY2ul0kMoDCIdRENm6fJFqsZo6xAI10ibLXunEVlSR&__tn__=kK-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0"><span class="nc684nl6" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">National Arts Council of Zimbabwe - NACZ</span></a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Executive Director Mr Nicholas Moyo said was an event to 'celebrate artists who have continued to subscribe to NAMA'. The 20th edition of the prestigious awards was themed 'Zimbabwe and Beyond' with the hash tag </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a class="oajrlxb2 g5ia77u1 qu0x051f esr5mh6w e9989ue4 r7d6kgcz rq0escxv nhd2j8a9 nc684nl6 p7hjln8o kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x jb3vyjys rz4wbd8a qt6c0cv9 a8nywdso i1ao9s8h esuyzwwr f1sip0of lzcic4wl gpro0wi8 q66pz984 b1v8xokw" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/amalevels?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZUZaCBsHnUwF8aELH2yYOv7dYdMGP5tqyVZQUyY72VvBiI0rrJvDftzqbaaZB9kj-nr9FNYUHMzyd9JzluljvyIa46LI25HNvaUiN_9GjLj0BCY2ul0kMoDCIdRENm6fJFqsZo6xAI10ibLXunEVlSR&__tn__=*NK-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0">#Amalevels</a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span><p></p><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Emerging from a dormant state of seasons spent away from the night life due to Covid 19 people came out in droves dressed to kill and some to 'reveal' a lot of skin, as they strolled and sashayed down the red carpet.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Inside the venue what struck me as I took my seat was the visual aspect of the production on the LED backdrop screens and how the stage was set up making it more spacious, stage design is art, good visual composition is a necessity.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Kudos to Leroy Gopal the official master of ceremony of the night for his enthusiasm and great sense of humor which kept the crowd engaged.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">There is so much room for improvement as far as curating a flawless awards ceremony, free from some of the few glitches that popped up during presentations.</div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">A couple of scenes caught my attention by force though, the first is when the accurate, neat, consistent, thoroughly skilled <span style="font-family: inherit;"><a class="oajrlxb2 g5ia77u1 qu0x051f esr5mh6w e9989ue4 r7d6kgcz rq0escxv nhd2j8a9 nc684nl6 p7hjln8o kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x jb3vyjys rz4wbd8a qt6c0cv9 a8nywdso i1ao9s8h esuyzwwr f1sip0of lzcic4wl gpro0wi8 q66pz984 b1v8xokw" href="https://www.facebook.com/mokoomba?__cft__[0]=AZUZaCBsHnUwF8aELH2yYOv7dYdMGP5tqyVZQUyY72VvBiI0rrJvDftzqbaaZB9kj-nr9FNYUHMzyd9JzluljvyIa46LI25HNvaUiN_9GjLj0BCY2ul0kMoDCIdRENm6fJFqsZo6xAI10ibLXunEVlSR&__tn__=-]K-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0"><span class="nc684nl6" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">Mokoomba</span></a></span> stepped up onto the stage led by the extra ordinary vocal range of <span style="font-family: inherit;"><a class="oajrlxb2 g5ia77u1 qu0x051f esr5mh6w e9989ue4 r7d6kgcz rq0escxv nhd2j8a9 nc684nl6 p7hjln8o kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x jb3vyjys rz4wbd8a qt6c0cv9 a8nywdso i1ao9s8h esuyzwwr f1sip0of lzcic4wl gpro0wi8 q66pz984 b1v8xokw" href="https://www.facebook.com/mathias.muzaza?__cft__[0]=AZUZaCBsHnUwF8aELH2yYOv7dYdMGP5tqyVZQUyY72VvBiI0rrJvDftzqbaaZB9kj-nr9FNYUHMzyd9JzluljvyIa46LI25HNvaUiN_9GjLj0BCY2ul0kMoDCIdRENm6fJFqsZo6xAI10ibLXunEVlSR&__tn__=-]K-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0"><span class="nc684nl6" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">Mathias Muzaza</span></a></span>.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">I have been working with the band for the past 10+ years but every act is always a new experience. The crowd was charmed by tracks like Njawane, Nyasola amongst other hits as the internationally acclaimed band warmed up for a European tour scheduled for early July.</div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">I’m inspired by the resilience of the human spirit and I could not help but admire the tenacity of <span style="font-family: inherit;"><a class="oajrlxb2 g5ia77u1 qu0x051f esr5mh6w e9989ue4 r7d6kgcz rq0escxv nhd2j8a9 nc684nl6 p7hjln8o kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x jb3vyjys rz4wbd8a qt6c0cv9 a8nywdso i1ao9s8h esuyzwwr f1sip0of lzcic4wl gpro0wi8 q66pz984 b1v8xokw" href="https://www.facebook.com/barney.mpariwa?__cft__[0]=AZUZaCBsHnUwF8aELH2yYOv7dYdMGP5tqyVZQUyY72VvBiI0rrJvDftzqbaaZB9kj-nr9FNYUHMzyd9JzluljvyIa46LI25HNvaUiN_9GjLj0BCY2ul0kMoDCIdRENm6fJFqsZo6xAI10ibLXunEVlSR&__tn__=-]K-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0"><span class="nc684nl6" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">Barney Mpariwa</span></a></span> who was awarded the Outstanding Journalist Television award for the first time after thirty two years. You could tell as he walked off the stage clad in a creamy white suit, gong in hand that it was an emotional moment for the veteran producer known for envisioning and bringing to life the local talent show Star Brite way back in the late 80s.</div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">I was equally inspired by <span style="font-family: inherit;"><a class="oajrlxb2 g5ia77u1 qu0x051f esr5mh6w e9989ue4 r7d6kgcz rq0escxv nhd2j8a9 nc684nl6 p7hjln8o kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x jb3vyjys rz4wbd8a qt6c0cv9 a8nywdso i1ao9s8h esuyzwwr f1sip0of lzcic4wl gpro0wi8 q66pz984 b1v8xokw" href="https://www.facebook.com/xtremesanity1?__cft__[0]=AZUZaCBsHnUwF8aELH2yYOv7dYdMGP5tqyVZQUyY72VvBiI0rrJvDftzqbaaZB9kj-nr9FNYUHMzyd9JzluljvyIa46LI25HNvaUiN_9GjLj0BCY2ul0kMoDCIdRENm6fJFqsZo6xAI10ibLXunEVlSR&__tn__=-]K-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0"><span class="nc684nl6" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">Mercy Dhliwayo</span></a></span> who has been previously nominated twice at NAMA but got to win on her third attempt in the Outstanding First Creative Published Work category with her book titled ‘Bringing Us Back’. “To have your first published works nominated for a national award such as the NAMA Awards is beyond reaffirming” she said on her page.</div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">If the night belonged to anyone then it should be ten year old author Onald Gwiriri who won a NAMA award for his book ‘The Cursing Tortoise’ in the Outstanding Children’s Book category. The young writer is son to Oscar Gwiriri a member of <span style="font-family: inherit;"><a class="oajrlxb2 g5ia77u1 qu0x051f esr5mh6w e9989ue4 r7d6kgcz rq0escxv nhd2j8a9 nc684nl6 p7hjln8o kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x jb3vyjys rz4wbd8a qt6c0cv9 a8nywdso i1ao9s8h esuyzwwr f1sip0of lzcic4wl gpro0wi8 q66pz984 b1v8xokw" href="https://www.facebook.com/gourdofconsciousness/?__cft__[0]=AZUZaCBsHnUwF8aELH2yYOv7dYdMGP5tqyVZQUyY72VvBiI0rrJvDftzqbaaZB9kj-nr9FNYUHMzyd9JzluljvyIa46LI25HNvaUiN_9GjLj0BCY2ul0kMoDCIdRENm6fJFqsZo6xAI10ibLXunEVlSR&__tn__=kK-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0"><span class="nc684nl6" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">Intanga Hub</span></a></span> and author of more than twenty five publications written in both English and Shona languages. There has been a surge of adult writers writing children’s stories however there is little or no attention given to children’s literature (literature written by children themselves), and one hopes that Onald’s recognition will inspire adults to give children opportunities to respond to literature.</div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">I also noted Spoken word poet <span style="font-family: inherit;"><a class="oajrlxb2 g5ia77u1 qu0x051f esr5mh6w e9989ue4 r7d6kgcz rq0escxv nhd2j8a9 nc684nl6 p7hjln8o kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x jb3vyjys rz4wbd8a qt6c0cv9 a8nywdso i1ao9s8h esuyzwwr f1sip0of lzcic4wl gpro0wi8 q66pz984 b1v8xokw" href="https://www.facebook.com/ObertDubeTheAfricanPoet?__cft__[0]=AZUZaCBsHnUwF8aELH2yYOv7dYdMGP5tqyVZQUyY72VvBiI0rrJvDftzqbaaZB9kj-nr9FNYUHMzyd9JzluljvyIa46LI25HNvaUiN_9GjLj0BCY2ul0kMoDCIdRENm6fJFqsZo6xAI10ibLXunEVlSR&__tn__=-]K-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0"><span class="nc684nl6" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">Obert Dube The African Poet</span></a></span> who graced the stage wearing traditional regalia complete with a head band known as ‘umqele’. Dube walked away with the Outstanding Poet award in the Spoken Word category. I was moved and enthralled by his act when he received his prize and burst out chanting in Imbongi fashion as he delivered a short but powerful and emotive praise poem in IsiNdebele leaving the whole crowd screaming in ecstasy. </div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Being recognized in a nomination is equally an achievement, it was pleasurable to note members of <span style="font-family: inherit;"><a class="oajrlxb2 g5ia77u1 qu0x051f esr5mh6w e9989ue4 r7d6kgcz rq0escxv nhd2j8a9 nc684nl6 p7hjln8o kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x jb3vyjys rz4wbd8a qt6c0cv9 a8nywdso i1ao9s8h esuyzwwr f1sip0of lzcic4wl gpro0wi8 q66pz984 b1v8xokw" href="https://www.facebook.com/gourdofconsciousness/?__cft__[0]=AZUZaCBsHnUwF8aELH2yYOv7dYdMGP5tqyVZQUyY72VvBiI0rrJvDftzqbaaZB9kj-nr9FNYUHMzyd9JzluljvyIa46LI25HNvaUiN_9GjLj0BCY2ul0kMoDCIdRENm6fJFqsZo6xAI10ibLXunEVlSR&__tn__=kK-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0"><span class="nc684nl6" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">Intanga Hub</span></a></span> amongst the NAMA nominees with <span style="font-family: inherit;"><a class="oajrlxb2 g5ia77u1 qu0x051f esr5mh6w e9989ue4 r7d6kgcz rq0escxv nhd2j8a9 nc684nl6 p7hjln8o kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x jb3vyjys rz4wbd8a qt6c0cv9 a8nywdso i1ao9s8h esuyzwwr f1sip0of lzcic4wl gpro0wi8 q66pz984 b1v8xokw" href="https://www.facebook.com/kwanelekhumalo.mntungwa.1?__cft__[0]=AZUZaCBsHnUwF8aELH2yYOv7dYdMGP5tqyVZQUyY72VvBiI0rrJvDftzqbaaZB9kj-nr9FNYUHMzyd9JzluljvyIa46LI25HNvaUiN_9GjLj0BCY2ul0kMoDCIdRENm6fJFqsZo6xAI10ibLXunEVlSR&__tn__=-]K-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0"><span class="nc684nl6" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">Kwanele Khumalo Mntungwa</span></a></span> being nominated in the Outstanding Poetry Book category with his book ‘Who killed Grandfather’ published by Under Class Books and Films whose creative director <span style="font-family: inherit;"><a class="oajrlxb2 g5ia77u1 qu0x051f esr5mh6w e9989ue4 r7d6kgcz rq0escxv nhd2j8a9 nc684nl6 p7hjln8o kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x jb3vyjys rz4wbd8a qt6c0cv9 a8nywdso i1ao9s8h esuyzwwr f1sip0of lzcic4wl gpro0wi8 q66pz984 b1v8xokw" href="https://www.facebook.com/stanmushava?__cft__[0]=AZUZaCBsHnUwF8aELH2yYOv7dYdMGP5tqyVZQUyY72VvBiI0rrJvDftzqbaaZB9kj-nr9FNYUHMzyd9JzluljvyIa46LI25HNvaUiN_9GjLj0BCY2ul0kMoDCIdRENm6fJFqsZo6xAI10ibLXunEVlSR&__tn__=-]K-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0"><span class="nc684nl6" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">Onai Mushava</span></a></span> is also a member of <span style="font-family: inherit;"><a class="oajrlxb2 g5ia77u1 qu0x051f esr5mh6w e9989ue4 r7d6kgcz rq0escxv nhd2j8a9 nc684nl6 p7hjln8o kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x jb3vyjys rz4wbd8a qt6c0cv9 a8nywdso i1ao9s8h esuyzwwr f1sip0of lzcic4wl gpro0wi8 q66pz984 b1v8xokw" href="https://www.facebook.com/gourdofconsciousness/?__cft__[0]=AZUZaCBsHnUwF8aELH2yYOv7dYdMGP5tqyVZQUyY72VvBiI0rrJvDftzqbaaZB9kj-nr9FNYUHMzyd9JzluljvyIa46LI25HNvaUiN_9GjLj0BCY2ul0kMoDCIdRENm6fJFqsZo6xAI10ibLXunEVlSR&__tn__=kK-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0"><span class="nc684nl6" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">Intanga Hub</span></a></span>. Amongst the nominees in the Outstanding Children’s Book category was another member of <span style="font-family: inherit;"><a class="oajrlxb2 g5ia77u1 qu0x051f esr5mh6w e9989ue4 r7d6kgcz rq0escxv nhd2j8a9 nc684nl6 p7hjln8o kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x jb3vyjys rz4wbd8a qt6c0cv9 a8nywdso i1ao9s8h esuyzwwr f1sip0of lzcic4wl gpro0wi8 q66pz984 b1v8xokw" href="https://www.facebook.com/gourdofconsciousness/?__cft__[0]=AZUZaCBsHnUwF8aELH2yYOv7dYdMGP5tqyVZQUyY72VvBiI0rrJvDftzqbaaZB9kj-nr9FNYUHMzyd9JzluljvyIa46LI25HNvaUiN_9GjLj0BCY2ul0kMoDCIdRENm6fJFqsZo6xAI10ibLXunEVlSR&__tn__=kK-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0"><span class="nc684nl6" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">Intanga Hub</span></a></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><a class="oajrlxb2 g5ia77u1 qu0x051f esr5mh6w e9989ue4 r7d6kgcz rq0escxv nhd2j8a9 nc684nl6 p7hjln8o kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x jb3vyjys rz4wbd8a qt6c0cv9 a8nywdso i1ao9s8h esuyzwwr f1sip0of lzcic4wl gpro0wi8 q66pz984 b1v8xokw" href="https://www.facebook.com/tinashe.muchuri?__cft__[0]=AZUZaCBsHnUwF8aELH2yYOv7dYdMGP5tqyVZQUyY72VvBiI0rrJvDftzqbaaZB9kj-nr9FNYUHMzyd9JzluljvyIa46LI25HNvaUiN_9GjLj0BCY2ul0kMoDCIdRENm6fJFqsZo6xAI10ibLXunEVlSR&__tn__=-]K-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0"><span class="nc684nl6" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">Tinashe Muchuri</span></a></span> with his book titled ‘Auntie Mazvita’ a book published by Essential Books Publishing Company led by Mr <span style="font-family: inherit;"><a class="oajrlxb2 g5ia77u1 qu0x051f esr5mh6w e9989ue4 r7d6kgcz rq0escxv nhd2j8a9 nc684nl6 p7hjln8o kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x jb3vyjys rz4wbd8a qt6c0cv9 a8nywdso i1ao9s8h esuyzwwr f1sip0of lzcic4wl gpro0wi8 q66pz984 b1v8xokw" href="https://www.facebook.com/aleck.kaposa?__cft__[0]=AZUZaCBsHnUwF8aELH2yYOv7dYdMGP5tqyVZQUyY72VvBiI0rrJvDftzqbaaZB9kj-nr9FNYUHMzyd9JzluljvyIa46LI25HNvaUiN_9GjLj0BCY2ul0kMoDCIdRENm6fJFqsZo6xAI10ibLXunEVlSR&__tn__=-]K-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0"><span class="nc684nl6" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">Aleck Kaposa</span></a></span> another member of our literary initiative which functions as a conscious raising tool designed to assist local poets and writers to evolve by constantly jogging their creative writing skills while reaching out to a broader demographic audience through consistent visibility in both print and electronic media.</div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">As we march forth relentlessly we hope that the wins and nominations will be enough motivation to writers and creatives to assist in generating a momentum that will contribute to the evolutionary process of our local book industry.</div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">It takes a community to plant a forest!</div></div>Emmanuel Sigaukehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04171063918198721862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411302945139198834.post-18627643752466760432022-03-03T12:34:00.001-08:002022-03-03T12:42:08.203-08:00New Opportunity for African Writers <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0QQbj3H_Uh5A_hQq546FUbg4VHZrtWWO-aFgRJbgIHKOH3SKJv-gKyXYw4rxIi2pl3DB1FL40fxWODu5tnMCOkR-r6wu2en5BSTXIUbuUR6RIt08GA6yg4ImcXutv1sFPFn2ySu3Sqtjkl0b--z9xrFHXSz9re1l2D1-49cw8cXMapg11x16CvW08=s2500" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="989" data-original-width="2500" height="127" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0QQbj3H_Uh5A_hQq546FUbg4VHZrtWWO-aFgRJbgIHKOH3SKJv-gKyXYw4rxIi2pl3DB1FL40fxWODu5tnMCOkR-r6wu2en5BSTXIUbuUR6RIt08GA6yg4ImcXutv1sFPFn2ySu3Sqtjkl0b--z9xrFHXSz9re1l2D1-49cw8cXMapg11x16CvW08=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /> Short Stoy Day Africa, in association with <span face="brandon-grotesque" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.98); color: #263333; font-size: 16px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><em style="font-weight: bold; overflow-wrap: break-word;">LAXFIELD LITERARY ASSOCIATES, </em><span style="overflow-wrap: break-word;">is calling for applications in a writing fellowship entitles SSDA Inkubator. The application period opened on March 1st and will be open until March 31st. According to the organizers, </span></span><p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.98); color: #263333; font-family: brandon-grotesque; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 1.6em; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><strong style="overflow-wrap: break-word;"></strong></p><blockquote><p style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.98); color: #263333; font-family: brandon-grotesque; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 1.6em; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><strong style="overflow-wrap: break-word;">SSDA Inkubator </strong>is an intensive, three-month, online seminar designed by Short Story Day Africa and Laxfield Literary Associates, for writers to develop, grow and hone their fiction writing and self-editing skills, as well as create an environment for cultural exchange and dialogue between writers from different backgrounds. It is a place for writers to support writers: to learn, to teach, and to mentor each other and create new, ongoing support networks.</p><p style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.98); color: #263333; font-family: brandon-grotesque; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;">The 12 successful participants will be mentored through an extensive curriculum that covers writing, editing, preparing work for submission, as well as how to approach agents and publishers. Inkubator consists of six online workshops and a moderated online forum, with professional facilitation from some of Africa’s most renowned writers and editors. </p></blockquote></blockquote><p><span face="brandon-grotesque" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.98); color: #263333; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Applicants, ages 18 to 35, do not pay for the seminar, and when they successfully complete the program, they will receive an honorarium of R5300 (approx. £250*) each. </span></p><p><span face="brandon-grotesque" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.98); color: #263333; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> SSDA says, "Selected short stories written during the seminar will be collected in an e-book anthology to be published by Short Story Day Africa."</span></p><p><span face="brandon-grotesque" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.98); color: #263333; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Below are more details from the organizers:</span></p><div class="sqs-block html-block sqs-block-html" data-block-type="2" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1645617248284_11293" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.98); clear: none; color: #263333; font-family: brandon-grotesque; font-size: 16px; height: auto; padding: 17px; position: relative;"><div class="sqs-block-content" style="outline: none;"><h3 style="color: black; font-size: 1.7em; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 0.3em; white-space: pre-wrap;"><strong style="overflow-wrap: break-word;"></strong></h3></div></div><blockquote><div class="sqs-block html-block sqs-block-html" data-block-type="2" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1645617248284_11293" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.98); clear: none; color: #263333; font-family: brandon-grotesque; font-size: 16px; height: auto; padding: 17px; position: relative;"><div class="sqs-block-content" style="outline: none;"><h3 style="color: black; font-size: 1.7em; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 0.3em; white-space: pre-wrap;"><strong style="overflow-wrap: break-word;">Who may apply?</strong></h3><p style="line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 1.6em; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;">This year, <strong style="overflow-wrap: break-word;">SSDA</strong> will be listening out for the voice less heard – the writer with limited access to programmes, publishers or projects, the disadvantaged wordsmith – and for this reason, regrettably, applicants residing within London, Nigeria or South Africa can apply by invitation only.</p><ol data-rte-list="default" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin: 1em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px 0px 0px 40px;"><li style="counter-increment: rte-list 1; counter-reset: rte-list 0; list-style-type: none; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><p style="line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0.5em 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;">Anglophone writers from the following Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries are invited to submit an application: Botswana, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Namibia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, eSwatini, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe; and</p></li><li style="counter-increment: rte-list 1; list-style-type: none; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><p style="line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0.5em 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"> British writers from Norfolk and Suffolk, and writers (British citizens) residing outside of London who are from under-represented backgrounds (such as British citizens of African descent), are invited to apply.</p></li><li style="counter-increment: rte-list 1; list-style-type: none; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><p style="line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0.5em 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;">All writers applying must meet the following criteria:</p><ol data-rte-list="default" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0.5em 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px 0px 0px 40px;"><li style="counter-increment: rte-list 1; counter-reset: rte-list 0; list-style-type: none; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><p style="line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0.5em 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;">Be between the ages of 18 – 35;</p></li><li style="counter-increment: rte-list 1; list-style-type: none; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><p style="line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0.5em 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;">Have a previous history of publication, online or in print, in a publication that is not their own self-published blog or self-publishing website;</p></li><li style="counter-increment: rte-list 1; list-style-type: none; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><p style="line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0.5em 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;">Be willing/able to participate in six online Saturday workshops (two per month, beginning mid-May); and</p></li><li style="counter-increment: rte-list 1; list-style-type: none; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><p style="line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0.5em 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;">Be willing to actively engage on the online Inkubator forum to support their fellow participants.</p></li></ol></li></ol></div></div><div class="sqs-block horizontalrule-block sqs-block-horizontalrule" data-block-type="47" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1645617248284_4736" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.98); clear: both; color: #263333; font-family: brandon-grotesque; font-size: 16px; height: auto; padding: 17px; position: relative;"><div class="sqs-block-content"><hr style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8); border: 0px none; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8); height: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></div></div><div class="sqs-block html-block sqs-block-html" data-block-type="2" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1645617248284_7401" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.98); clear: none; color: #263333; font-family: brandon-grotesque; font-size: 16px; height: auto; padding: 17px; position: relative;"><div class="sqs-block-content" style="outline: none;"><h3 style="color: black; font-size: 1.7em; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 0.3em; white-space: pre-wrap;"><strong style="overflow-wrap: break-word;">How to apply</strong></h3><p style="line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 1.6em; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;">Applicants<strong style="overflow-wrap: break-word;"> </strong>must submit a <strong style="overflow-wrap: break-word;">single, complete</strong> work of <strong style="overflow-wrap: break-word;">prose fiction</strong> (<em style="overflow-wrap: break-word;">any</em> <strong style="overflow-wrap: break-word;">genre</strong>, <em style="overflow-wrap: break-word;">any</em> <strong style="overflow-wrap: break-word;">topic</strong>) strictly between <strong style="overflow-wrap: break-word;">800 – 1000 </strong>words in length, along with a covering letter of no more than 300 words explaining who they are and why they want to participate in Inkubator, as well as a writer’s bio that includes their publication history, of no longer than 300 words, before the submission deadline. No late applications will be considered. Submission details are available on t<a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSci4m3LQTKrMLHpioC1-C0hD4RkxMq6g7Xpy86zhhR7WECBig/viewform" target="_blank">he Short Story Day Africa website here.</a></p></div></div></blockquote><div class="sqs-block html-block sqs-block-html" data-block-type="2" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1645617248284_7401" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.98); clear: none; color: #263333; font-family: brandon-grotesque; font-size: 16px; height: auto; padding: 17px; position: relative;"><div class="sqs-block-content" style="outline: none;"><p style="line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 1.6em; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSci4m3LQTKrMLHpioC1-C0hD4RkxMq6g7Xpy86zhhR7WECBig/viewform" target="_blank"></a></p></div></div><p> </p><p><span face="brandon-grotesque" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.98); color: #263333; font-size: 16px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="overflow-wrap: break-word;"></span></span></p><p><span face="brandon-grotesque" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.98); color: #263333; font-size: 16px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="overflow-wrap: break-word;"><br /></span></span></p>Emmanuel Sigaukehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04171063918198721862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411302945139198834.post-18839607433777227252022-03-02T17:39:00.005-08:002022-03-03T11:21:00.973-08:00Untitled<p> This untitled page started</p><p>As a glaring </p><p>But inviting</p><p>Blank page </p><p>Of memories. </p><p><br /></p><p>The spirit is to continue</p><p>Not ignore the call of blankness</p><p>to populate</p><p>emulate</p><p>involve </p><p>all those from the past</p><p>who know a little</p><p>about the present of presents</p><p>for tomorrow is another blank page</p><p>Taken over</p><p>by an incipient storm of words. </p>Emmanuel Sigaukehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04171063918198721862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411302945139198834.post-40070864808560771202022-03-01T11:04:00.004-08:002022-03-01T11:06:51.342-08:00Gwavachemai: A Memoir in Serialized Posts<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOcF3YLEUP3wbLsby0kdj9IHxzkw2uKWH8KGukKt90-7I2jFY48aSeXm0o67vhLgYve3V96DaiDDLyXRVqMewtp9laKVjwoNfMlzIKg5E6D6qJEy2Udpf5l-ek3grtrAya2iGbq1v3ZQpMC8UZwDnyaQY9qKJevXizbiub-K2QizYtcMEW6KBehcp6=s259" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOcF3YLEUP3wbLsby0kdj9IHxzkw2uKWH8KGukKt90-7I2jFY48aSeXm0o67vhLgYve3V96DaiDDLyXRVqMewtp9laKVjwoNfMlzIKg5E6D6qJEy2Udpf5l-ek3grtrAya2iGbq1v3ZQpMC8UZwDnyaQY9qKJevXizbiub-K2QizYtcMEW6KBehcp6" width="259" /></a></div><br />We built this school with our own hands. We the students, one block at a time, brick by brick. We were the pioneering group of students, who for nearly a year rented a room at Mototi Primary School, the main feeder school to the secondary school. I remember that when we started Form 1, our school didn't even have a name. Some wanted it to be called Mototi Secondary School, others wanted a slew of other names, such as Chomumbuyu, Manhivi, Mutoti, Runde, since Gwen'ombe was already taken. But they deliberated and deliberated, and we were told they--the parents mostly--had settled on the name Gwavachemai, which is the name of the mountain range on east of the current location of the secondary school. <p></p><p>Talking of location, many sites were considered. I remember three. One was going to be in Chimiti forest, near the old location of the primary school; perhaps that turned out to be too close to Chivi but too far from any of the feeder schools. The second location was in my neighborhood, near Chisiya hill. I didn't like that--I was not confident about living that close to the school. I always thought our home was not worth showing to others, so the prospect of the school coming to my neighborhood bothered and scared me. I think I prayed that the school stay away from near my home, and it did, whether or not it was my prayer answered or not (I was an ardent Church of Christ follower then, loving the sheer joy of endless church gatherings several evenings a week and the big, Sunday sermon). The third location, west of the primary school, a seven-minute walk, won. Mototi primary would thus directly feed the secondary, and sometimes we got to do some athletic and arts events together. </p><p>The fees at the upper top didn't exceed $35, but not many of us could afford it, so most of the time we attended school for free. We were not allowed to attend school for free though. In fact, if we were caught coming to school without paying fees, our parents or guardians might get in trouble by the government. Most importantly, the Teacher-in-Charge, our version of headmaster, could be punished by his superiors. But these early Teachers in Charge of Gwavachemai Secondary School were local--the first rode his bicycle from Gudo, and the second came from Magetsi, a local man who had come from Ngundu where he was a successful senior teacher at a boarding school, to come back home to lead our new school. He also was an excellent mathematics teacher, a college-trained teacher. We had few of those back then. </p><p>Most of our teacher in Forms 1 and 2 had no teaching credentials. But they are among some of the best teachers I ever worked with; most were local, most cared about our success. Of course, there was a limit to what they knew, and sometimes we witnessed them struggling to explain concepts, so we would figure out things together--which was really an empowering way to learn. </p><p>This series of posts is prompted by one memory: on a day educational inspectors were going to visit our school to make sure every student in attendance had paid school fees, our teachers agreed to keep us at the school, all of us, those who had paid and those who had not--and a majority of us had not yet paid. The inspectors had given a window of time they would arrive at the school, and thirty minutes before the expected arrival of the inspectors, our teachers gathered us and asked us to go hide in the thickly wooded part of the stream east of the school. We carried books, and we were told to read quietly. The inspectors came to the school and found out that only those who had paid school fees were in the classrooms. After about thirty minutes, they left, headed for the next school.</p><p>This type of protection would happen more times in the future. We understood that were were being helped, but we still needed to pay the fees within a reasonable time, which for some took longer than was considered reasonable. In fact, a few were never able to bring the school fees, and ended up dropping altogether. </p><p>The connected posts about Gwavachemai will mix memoir, poetry, and fiction. I will fictionalize names of most of the people I will mention here, although , I may also try to locate some of the people who will be key characters in these posts to get consent to use their names.... </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Emmanuel Sigaukehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04171063918198721862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411302945139198834.post-34771122057714865542022-02-22T15:50:00.004-08:002022-02-22T16:35:59.622-08:00Mother Tongues and Community Resilience: An Interview with Zimbabwe's Emmanuel Hove <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgLI5PDGKZV4P23jYqZgHHMpNONn64aXiAOa5I56EKZxLjHuKOURMXwBdWr4aHkj-w2aQqibIbIKAdYFciSaDTE5NIJl5YwBfEm_6sPk8KJIbHiog7N20ny4KjeY33NZZ3SrHv0EhN5vbLmldyH8432unnWXZDpObpgfRmGmoooxqrjTMXmQ55RE8fb=s777" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="777" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgLI5PDGKZV4P23jYqZgHHMpNONn64aXiAOa5I56EKZxLjHuKOURMXwBdWr4aHkj-w2aQqibIbIKAdYFciSaDTE5NIJl5YwBfEm_6sPk8KJIbHiog7N20ny4KjeY33NZZ3SrHv0EhN5vbLmldyH8432unnWXZDpObpgfRmGmoooxqrjTMXmQ55RE8fb=s320" width="247" /></a></div><br /> February 21, 2022 was International Mother Tongue Day, a celebration that many did not realize was happening, because it is not talked about often and is perhaps not celebrated everywhere as it should. To celebrate the day is to embrace the linguistic diversity of our world, and to ignore the day is let each other down, to live as if the diversity of our languages, hence our diversity, does not matter. But one small organization in Zimbabwe did not want to let this day go by without being observed: Chisiya Writer's Workshop, an organization of writers physically located in Mazvihwa, Zimbabwe, celebrated the day through an event co-organized with the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe, Midlands Branch. <p></p><p>The event, titled "International Mother language day presentation", was held as a discussion on the WhatsApp forum of Chisiya Writer's Club. It was facilitated by Emmanuel Hove Mhike and moderated by Pam Kupfavira of the Midlands Branch of NACZ. </p><p>To capture the spirit of the day, I carried out a WhatsApp interview with Emmanuel Hove Mhike, who sheds light on the importance of valuing and using our mother tongues. </p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">The Interview </h2><p style="text-align: left;"><b> Thanks for facilitating the Mother tongue day. Why did you think this was an important thing to do?</b></p><div><div><br /></div><div>I think it's high time we focus on promoting mother languages as country and continent. Many people inherited colonial attitudes through our education system, and thus still underrate their mother languages and glorify the colonial masters' languages. In Africa, in the 21st century, we are finding dealing with conflicts, pandemics, climate change, youth anti-social behaviors and many other critical issues difficult because we are using foreign languages to deal with local problems. It's a responsibility of everyone to creatively find ways to promote discussions on the importance of mother languages in our everyday lives. Many take their mother language for granted and could realize how important it is after such discussions Chisiya Writers' Club and National Arts Council of Zimbabwe tasked me to facilitate.</div><div><br /></div><div><b> In a world where English is widely spoken, and some of our mothers mainly speak in English, does it matter which language is the mother tongue?</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>It matters because mother languages carries unique culture values and norms that are vital to the life and survival of a particular group of people. They are circumstances which demand deep understanding of our mother languages to discuss and inspire locally available solutions. Although English is wide spoken, it only facilitates communication among people from different countries and continents. It doesn't inform and clearly explains the natives' way of life or even innovative solutions to their problems.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Based on the forum, does it seem like young or contemporary Zimbabweans writers care about their mother tongues?</b></div><div><br /></div><div> I was quite impressed on the contemporary Zimbabweans' responses and deep knowledge of the importance of using mother languages. It was clear they really care about mother languages and they bemoan the devaluation of the languages by education system, employment requirements and public figures who always uses English in their speeches on national radios, Tv and social media platforms. It really shocked me to discover that very young Zimbabweans have intrinsic knowledge on the connection between Language, Culture and Development. This shows that if education policies, public engagements, online engagements and other forums make good use of mother languages we might see a great positive change. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Your first book, soon to be launched, is in Shona. Given your good command and facility with English, what made you insist on writing the book in Shona?</b></div><div><br /></div><div>As a cultural creative, I have always loved everything African and original. My work experience with marginalized Communities has proved to me that only innovative Community-driven solutions will solve local problems. Indigenous knowledge systems, traditional governance systems and home grown solutions are the panacea to a changing climate, pandemics and any other thing that may affect local communities. All these uses mother language as foreign language is used to demonize and discredit these native approaches. My Shona poetry anthology 'Nzungu Dzembeu ' , contains 100 Shona poems that clearly speak of challenges, success stories and solutions facing this generation. I have two anthologies, a Shona and English one, but I decided to start with the one in my mother language because I am a fan of bottom -up approaches to development. Solutions start from grassroots communities, solutions are hidden in mother languages idioms, phrases and deep words. The organization I work for, Muonde Trust, emphasizes community resilience. The best way to strengthen community resilience is to use mother languages , build on local and indigenous knowledge systems.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Which language do you think Zim-based organizations like Chisiya promote?</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Zim-based organizations largely promote English languages. They engage in English, they report in English, everything is published or publicized in English. I think Chisiya Writers'Club is an exception since 80% of its members are Shona writers and poets, but engagements are usually done in English. In Zimbabwe, many organizations which are on paper named in Shona and their role/ blue prints is of promoting mother languages practically promote English.</div><div><br /></div><div><b> Would you say English can now be considered a mother tongue in Zimbabwe?</b></div></div><div><br /></div><div>It's not correct to say English is now a mother tongue in Zimbabwe, but it's also practically wrong to say Shona is the mother language. There is a great geographical divide on the use of Shona and English languages in Zimbabwe. English is mostly used in urban areas while Shona is mostly used in rural areas. In Zimbabwe's rural areas, it's very rare to hear English greetings, engagements and other communications.</div><h2 style="text-align: left;">About Emmanuel Hove Mhike</h2><div>Popularly known as the Prince of Mazvihwa, Emmanuel Hove Mhike is a multi Award winning filmmaker, journalist, youth advocate and development practitioner. Academically, he holds a Master of Arts Degree in Development Studies. Emmanuel is also a well-traveled Arts and Cultural creative. He is a program officer at Chisiya Writers'Club. Also, he is the Brand and band Manager at Mai Patai and the Voice of Prophecy band.</div><div><br /></div>Emmanuel Sigaukehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04171063918198721862noreply@blogger.com0Zimbabwe-19.015438 29.154857-90 -111.47014300000001 56.146386472544961 169.779857tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411302945139198834.post-12308051289895980452022-02-19T19:19:00.002-08:002022-02-19T19:22:05.275-08:00New Northern California Literary Initiative Promotes Works by BIPOC Writers <p> Sacramento, CA: Faculty from two Northern California college districts have established a literary initiative that promotes the works of BIPOC writers. Califa Lit Initiative was established in August 2021 with the following mission: </p><p><span id="docs-internal-guid-5be973f7-7fff-97bd-9751-d56fbaa27f64"></span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: #201f1e; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #201f1e; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Stimulate students to write their own stories, creative nonfiction, poetry and plays</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: #201f1e; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 21pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #201f1e; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Motivate students to read and discuss the works of established Black and BIPOC authors in environments beyond the formal classroom</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: #201f1e; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #201f1e; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Create ways for students to publish their work, such as an online journal, and podcasts, and support, mentor and encourage them to submit to other publications. </span></p></li></ul><div><span style="color: #201f1e; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #201f1e; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">To date, the organization has hosted one literary event in October, which reached more than forty participants who listened to a keynote speaker and participated in a writing workshop and reading session. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #201f1e; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #201f1e; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Following the success of its first event, Califa Lit is going to present its second event on February 25: </span></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(57, 54, 79); color: #39364f; font-family: "Neue Plak", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.9333px; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: 0.5px;">"Uzima: Writing, Sharing, Healing in the African Diaspora". </span></div><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(57, 54, 79); color: #39364f; font-family: "Neue Plak", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.9333px; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: 0.5px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(57, 54, 79); font-family: "Neue Plak", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.9333px; letter-spacing: 0.5px;">The event features </span><span style="font-family: "Neue Plak", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.5px;">Charlotte Hill O'Neal (also known as Mama C) who will guide students, faculty and community members through a journey of storytelling, writing and sharing. This event will use writing and storytelling as healing tools for members of our communities.</span></div><p style="font-family: "Neue Plak", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;">Students, faculty and community members will have the opportunity to hear from poet, artist, musician, activist and modern day griot--Mama C. She will share her wisdom as a former member of the Black Panther Party currently residing in Tanzania where she founded the United African Alliance Community Center.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Neue Plak", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;">After hearing from Mama C, Califa Lit Collective members will lead participants in a writing workshop focused on healing and wellness in our communities. The Swahili word "Uzima" meaning "full of life" is the theme of this event. </p><p style="font-family: "Neue Plak", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;">The February 25 Event is part of the Black History Month events sponsored by Cosumnes River College. </p><p style="font-family: "Neue Plak", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;">Below are some of the founding members of Califa Lit Collective: </p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-top: 11pt;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Victoire Chochezi (FLC)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-top: 11pt;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Emmanuel Sigauke (CRC)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-top: 11pt;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kakwasi Somadhi (Emeritus prof. CRCEA)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-top: 11pt;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Teresa Aldredge (CRC)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-top: 11pt;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cherrelle Holden (CRC)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-top: 11pt;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Michelle Johnson (Sierra College)</span></p><p style="font-family: "Neue Plak", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-8d0404e6-7fff-ee96-f2de-8b8690735d28" style="background-color: black;"></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-top: 11pt;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Alexandria White (SCC)</span></p><p style="color: #6f7287; font-family: "Neue Plak", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></p>Emmanuel Sigaukehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04171063918198721862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411302945139198834.post-40752232859092390932021-02-25T20:17:00.004-08:002021-02-25T21:26:59.192-08:00African Writers Festival 2021: Connections and Illuminations<h3 class="text-align-center" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #003366; font-family: Oswald, sans-serif; font-size: 1.75rem; line-height: 1.12; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 1.75rem; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br /></strong></h3><h3 class="text-align-center" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #003366; font-family: Oswald, sans-serif; font-size: 1.75rem; line-height: 1.12; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-align: left; text-transform: uppercase;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 1.75rem; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4nqb2cT6h3TcwilM1wMMMjJPvr1MTv3xtH98ZTrhMw542Z8dhgYSZVqYDC4TVWNR24W0i8X0wfjFnZ9wfvlStarJ8hG6372hyn2_FIyNDF_4s1xlc_wxwrhnik987gA3EV-dk6NZpFNo/s1072/AWF+English.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="726" data-original-width="1072" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4nqb2cT6h3TcwilM1wMMMjJPvr1MTv3xtH98ZTrhMw542Z8dhgYSZVqYDC4TVWNR24W0i8X0wfjFnZ9wfvlStarJ8hG6372hyn2_FIyNDF_4s1xlc_wxwrhnik987gA3EV-dk6NZpFNo/s320/AWF+English.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />African Literature Festival </strong></h3><h3 class="text-align-center" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #003366; font-family: Oswald, sans-serif; font-size: 1.75rem; line-height: 1.12; margin: 0px 0px 1.5rem; text-align: left; text-transform: uppercase;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 1.75rem; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">FEBRUARY 26- 27 2021</strong></h3><h3 class="text-align-center" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #003366; font-family: Oswald, sans-serif; font-size: 1.75rem; line-height: 1.12; margin: 1.75rem 0px 1.5rem; text-align: left; text-transform: uppercase;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">VIRTUAL ATTENDANCE</strong></h3><div><strong style="box-sizing: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><p style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: Muli, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.9375; margin: 0px 0px 2em;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Georgia College and State University’s Creative Writing Program, in partnership with the Dean’s Office of the College of Arts and Sciences and the Center for International Studies, is hosting a virtual African Writers Festival. This celebration of creativity from Africa brings diverse African writers and thinkers together for two days of conversations, readings, and performances. </strong></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: Muli, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.9375; margin: 0px 0px 2em;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit; margin-top: 0px;">After the pioneering efforts of African writers like Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka, Ngugi Wa Thiong'o, Flora Nwapa and Buchi Emecheta in the 60s and 70s/early 80s, the past two decades have seen an energetic </strong><strong style="box-sizing: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px;"> resurgence of African writing. Contemporary African writers are getting great critical notice and are attracting ever increasing readership globally. </strong></p><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-weight: 400; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>FESTIVAL SCHEDULE:</b></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>READINGS AND CONVERSATIONS</b></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #de6a19; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><u>FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2021:</u></b></span><span style="border: 0px; color: #de6a19; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b></b></span></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #de6a19; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>SESSION 1: POLITICS AND FEMINISMS, 4-7PM EST</b></span></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #de6a19; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Zoom opens at 3:50pm</b></span></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">4:00-4:05 EST: Brief Welcome by GCSU MFA Program Coordinator Dr. Kerry Neville followed by a brief introduction of Dr. Chika Unigwe</div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">4:05-4:45pm EST: Mona Eltahawy, Keynote Address and Q & A: Politics and Feminism with a brief introduction by Dr. Unigwe</div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>15 Minute Break (4:45-5:00pm EST)</b></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> 5:00-5:55pm EST: Mona Eltahawy and Maaza Mengiste in conversation with brief introductions by Denechia Powell</div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <b>5 Minute Break (5:55-6:00pm EST)</b></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> 6:00-6:30pm EST: Poetry performance: Wana Udobang with brief introduction by Avery James</div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">6:30pm-7:30pm EST: Reading by Ukamaka Olisakwe, and Q & A with brief introduction by Dr. Chika Unigwe</div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #de6a19; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><u>SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2021:</u></b></span></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #de6a19; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>SESSION 2: BLACK BODIES: WRITING THE PAST, THE PRESENT AND THE FUTURE: 11:00AM EST-2PM EST</b></span></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #de6a19; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Zoom opens at 10:50am EST</b></span></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">11:00am-11:05am EST: Brief welcome and Introduction by Dr. Unigwe </div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">11:05-11:55am: Wadzanayi Mhute in conversation with Novuyo Tshuma and Yvonne Owuor with brief introductions by Dr. Kerry James Evans</div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">12:00-12:55pm EST: Elnathan John in conversation with Ukamaka Olisakwe with brief introductions by Dr. Stefanie Sevcik</div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">1:00-1:30pm EST: Poetry performance: Lebo Mashile with brief introduction by Mary Alsobrooks</div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>1 hr 30 minute BREAK (1:30-3:00 pm EST)</b></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #de6a19; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>SESSION 3: AFRICANFUTURISM, SILENCE , SEXUALITY AND GENDER, 3:00-4:45PM EST </b></span></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #de6a19; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Zoom opens at 2:50pm EST</b></span></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">3:00-3:30pm EST: Reading by Sulaiman Addonia with brief introduction by Dr. Chika Unigwe</div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">3:35-4:35 pm EST: Francesca Ekwuyasi and Tendai (T.L) Huchu in Conversation with brief introductions by Timothy Connors</div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">4:35-4:45pm EST: Brief Closing Remarks: Dr. Chika Unigwe</div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Festival Participants:</b></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Yvonne Owuor (Kenya)</b></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Elnathan John (Nigeria and Germany)</b></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Ukamaka Olisakwe (Nigeria)</b></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Lebo Mashiile (US and South Africa)</b></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Maaza Mengiste (Ethiopia)</b></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Wana Udobang (Nigeria)</b></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Mona Eltahawy (Egypt and US)</b></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Suleiman Addonai (Eritrea, Sudan and Belgium)</b></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Tendai (T.H.) Huchu (Zimbabwe and Scotland)</b></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Fransesca Ekwuyasi (Nigeria and Canada)</b></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Wadzanai Mhute (Zimbabwe)</b></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></div><b>Novuyo Tshuma (Zimbabwe)</b><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-weight: 400; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-weight: 400; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></div></strong></div>Emmanuel Sigaukehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04171063918198721862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411302945139198834.post-56729119839823664892021-02-24T16:28:00.013-08:002021-02-24T19:03:37.962-08:00Reading "The Committed", "They Called You Dambudzo," and "Out of the Dark Night"<p><br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR6oo9U2NDaDerO94D6kr0DhGJqmJ9lr7lYzvDiAwJxgU988i-WpeuP3O3b-LQQGLBfKoFO7pJbDEYV6ucUApP5qXpEN5c7sDshQxI5iLMc6-dz6TkZWryu4ynuPDz02PzG41LTZTENuE/s2048/the+committed.jpg" style="clear: right; display: inline; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1356" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR6oo9U2NDaDerO94D6kr0DhGJqmJ9lr7lYzvDiAwJxgU988i-WpeuP3O3b-LQQGLBfKoFO7pJbDEYV6ucUApP5qXpEN5c7sDshQxI5iLMc6-dz6TkZWryu4ynuPDz02PzG41LTZTENuE/s320/the+committed.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ICZVveg4Ea8sYgghuBl41dcM5CLyQn6PSTMTBW_TUciK3dgL__qyxTlZBmzd0qDhJrkaEmofqNPfteRIh3NxjqhqO72Lb5nSv4qZ7RZPlKB-Ck26hNt1BxaPorA7FAXCedEjMOOXaB4/s499/They+called+you+dambudzo.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="330" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ICZVveg4Ea8sYgghuBl41dcM5CLyQn6PSTMTBW_TUciK3dgL__qyxTlZBmzd0qDhJrkaEmofqNPfteRIh3NxjqhqO72Lb5nSv4qZ7RZPlKB-Ck26hNt1BxaPorA7FAXCedEjMOOXaB4/s320/They+called+you+dambudzo.jpg" /></a></div><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_jLTgMusT5xLDyJGhsp0ToG3vVg_9M_EnkOfZQ4KQW7-DYBLfLChhj-K95iaiswYC7UUvdX0A-PcS3mG7ZjmSYF7aT7vOxLGBpmnhkeYLJ1DT5MqQBZ3-YQpkOmCaQA2NTkKaWKvSro/s2048/mbembe.jpg" style="clear: right; display: inline; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1358" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_jLTgMusT5xLDyJGhsp0ToG3vVg_9M_EnkOfZQ4KQW7-DYBLfLChhj-K95iaiswYC7UUvdX0A-PcS3mG7ZjmSYF7aT7vOxLGBpmnhkeYLJ1DT5MqQBZ3-YQpkOmCaQA2NTkKaWKvSro/w212-h320/mbembe.jpg" width="212" /></a></p><p>These are two books I plan to review in March. I already finished reading <i>They Called You Dambudzo</i>, by Flora Veit-Wild, the much anticipated memoir that started with a 2012 essay. </p><p></p><p><i>The Committed </i>is by Viet Thanh Nguyen. It will be published on March 2nd, so hopefully I will be able to finish reading it by the end of the launch week. </p><p>Viet Thanh Nguyen is the Vietnamese author of The Refugees and The Sympathizer, books I own but have not had a chance to read. So The Committed will be my true entry into his work. I know he is an important writer. </p><p>I also just received <i>Out of the Dark Night: Essays on Decolonization</i> by Achille Mbembe (2021). This will my introduction to his work. I hear he is a big deal in African Literature circles, perhaps even in postcolonial theory (and cultural studies?). I will also share my thoughts on this one, but they will be non-academic, personal ruminations. </p>Emmanuel Sigaukehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04171063918198721862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411302945139198834.post-8606361555805678272021-02-24T16:15:00.004-08:002021-02-24T16:16:22.280-08:00New Interview at Mos Oa Tunya Review, a new Zimbabwean Journal <p> </p><h1 class="_1gHzn _2M4wi blog-post-title-font blog-post-title-color blog-text-color post-title blog-hover-container-element-color _1EQZr blog-post-page-title-font" data-hook="post-title" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: Arial, "ms pゴシック", "ms pgothic", 돋움, dotum, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 40px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: break-word;"><span class="post-title__text blog-post-title-font blog-post-title-color" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 28px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">"Voices of the African Diaspora: An Interview with Emmanuel Sigauke", by Tendai Machingaidze, Editor at <a href="https://www.mosioatunyareview.com/post/voices-of-the-african-diaspora-an-interview-with-emmanuel-sigauke" target="_blank">Mosi Oa Tunya Review</a></span></h1><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie ljrnk blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color _2QAo- _25MYV _1Fao9 ljrnk public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-fjtpl" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr !important; font-family: Arial, "ms pゴシック", "ms pgothic", 돋움, dotum, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="vkIF2 public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></p><blockquote><p class="XzvDs _208Ie ljrnk blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color _2QAo- _25MYV _1Fao9 ljrnk public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-fjtpl" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr !important; font-family: Arial, "ms pゴシック", "ms pgothic", 돋움, dotum, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="vkIF2 public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">TM: What role do African and other immigrant writers play in shaping cultures and societies around the world?</span></span></p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie ljrnk blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color _2QAo- _25MYV _1Fao9 ljrnk public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-ateog" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr !important; font-family: Arial, "ms pゴシック", "ms pgothic", 돋움, dotum, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="vkIF2 public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></span></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie ljrnk blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color _2QAo- _25MYV _1Fao9 ljrnk public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-5036c" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr !important; font-family: Arial, "ms pゴシック", "ms pgothic", 돋움, dotum, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="vkIF2 public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">ES: </span>It is refreshing to witness growing trends of inclusivity in publishing. The work is nowhere closer to be complete, but there is growing awareness by readers of perspectives from Africa that do not just present one story about the continent, but as implied by Chimamanda Adichie in her single-story TED talk, a multiplicity of voices. </span></p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie ljrnk blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color _2QAo- _25MYV _1Fao9 ljrnk public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-kk1k" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr !important; font-family: Arial, "ms pゴシック", "ms pgothic", 돋움, dotum, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="vkIF2 public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></span></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie ljrnk blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color _2QAo- _25MYV _1Fao9 ljrnk public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-112sr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr !important; font-family: Arial, "ms pゴシック", "ms pgothic", 돋움, dotum, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="vkIF2 public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Having worked closely with some of the Diaspora African writers, I know they would be the first ones to say that they are not in it to shape any global anything, or to operate in some kind of representational capacity—they are just writing. But their presence in this global milieu is important as it offers many viewpoints to readers who might be trained to think of writing as one thing and one thing alone. The many stories (we need more) about the continent help dispel the few stereotypes some readers may have about African experiences. Likewise, African writers setting stories in other countries bring home African experiences in the diaspora, experiences that help readers have a non-stereotypical view of the diaspora. I am reminded of books like <em style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">We Need New Names, Harare North, </em>and <em style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Mathematician, the Magistrate, and the Maestro</em>, and others that follow the Zimbabwean characters into the Diaspora. In their stories we read about the complexities of diaspora stories.</span></p><p class="XzvDs _208Ie ljrnk blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color _2QAo- _25MYV _1Fao9 ljrnk public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-drfph" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr !important; font-family: Arial, "ms pゴシック", "ms pgothic", 돋움, dotum, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="vkIF2 public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></p><p class="XzvDs _208Ie ljrnk blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color _2QAo- _25MYV _1Fao9 ljrnk public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-854k9" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr !important; font-family: Arial, "ms pゴシック", "ms pgothic", 돋움, dotum, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="vkIF2 public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">We are also in a time when there is a need to appreciate what each society has to contribute to our global understanding of life. In academia, I am seeing whole English departments changing to be more inclusive of different voices. Gone are the days when the English major focuses mainly on British and American Literature. There is more to literature than this.</span></p></blockquote><p>Read the <a href="TM: What role do African and other immigrant writers play in shaping cultures and societies around the world? ES: It is refreshing to witness growing trends of inclusivity in publishing. The work is nowhere closer to be complete, but there is growing awareness by readers of perspectives from Africa that do not just present one story about the continent, but as implied by Chimamanda Adichie in her single-story TED talk, a multiplicity of voices. Having worked closely with some of the Diaspora African writers, I know they would be the first ones to say that they are not in it to shape any global anything, or to operate in some kind of representational capacity—they are just writing. But their presence in this global milieu is important as it offers many viewpoints to readers who might be trained to think of writing as one thing and one thing alone. The many stories (we need more) about the continent help dispel the few stereotypes some readers may have about African experiences. Likewise, African writers setting stories in other countries bring home African experiences in the diaspora, experiences that help readers have a non-stereotypical view of the diaspora. I am reminded of books like We Need New Names, Harare North, and The Mathematician, the Magistrate, and the Maestro, and others that follow the Zimbabwean characters into the Diaspora. In their stories we read about the complexities of diaspora stories. We are also in a time when there is a need to appreciate what each society has to contribute to our global understanding of life. In academia, I am seeing whole English departments changing to be more inclusive of different voices. Gone are the days when the English major focuses mainly on British and American Literature. There is more to literature than this." target="_blank">full interview at Mosi Oa Tunya Review. </a></p><p class="XzvDs _208Ie ljrnk blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color _2QAo- _25MYV _1Fao9 ljrnk public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-854k9" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr !important; font-family: Arial, "ms pゴシック", "ms pgothic", 돋움, dotum, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="vkIF2 public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p></div>Emmanuel Sigaukehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04171063918198721862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411302945139198834.post-62498801395728705172021-02-24T10:11:00.000-08:002021-02-24T10:11:03.504-08:00Nigeria-Zimbabwe Poetry Jam (2021)<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ismeEo_cZes4OJxWoWknlgQo3oyX1IyC8Wm-6MZDi9nXw-ywNguqD3B046lKs_wf4tW98rDxmJ5jbk-Fp8xYQReB2teThxZ2XRYMeqor2HHMtK05-mKEu7dmrdkj49UbiWbSuZdF0pU/s1080/Nigeria%2527Zim+Poetry+Jam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1051" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ismeEo_cZes4OJxWoWknlgQo3oyX1IyC8Wm-6MZDi9nXw-ywNguqD3B046lKs_wf4tW98rDxmJ5jbk-Fp8xYQReB2teThxZ2XRYMeqor2HHMtK05-mKEu7dmrdkj49UbiWbSuZdF0pU/w607-h365/Nigeria%2527Zim+Poetry+Jam.jpg" width="607" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p>Collaborative events like this are needed if Africa is to tap into its vast sources of talent. Great work Zimbabwe and Nigeria! </p>Emmanuel Sigaukehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04171063918198721862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411302945139198834.post-71581646422543457362021-02-21T11:14:00.002-08:002021-02-21T14:56:30.403-08:00My Editorial for the New WIN-ZIM Double Issue<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEBsCUHKbg90qwR8Tm5jeUdgPesIz6hGWYF6p0sOKzeWpDvBgamSehVjPpdd3MZPcUyXSGuK_Pi2Jop_2ZisZ7qMTB6QJzDZSgAuejJghR0Sy29WlVt4DMofvHwuKx5ofasy_QkdcjxX8/s1070/WINZ-c.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="1070" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEBsCUHKbg90qwR8Tm5jeUdgPesIz6hGWYF6p0sOKzeWpDvBgamSehVjPpdd3MZPcUyXSGuK_Pi2Jop_2ZisZ7qMTB6QJzDZSgAuejJghR0Sy29WlVt4DMofvHwuKx5ofasy_QkdcjxX8/w400-h144/WINZ-c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large; text-align: justify;">Welcome to 2021!</span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;">It is appropriate for WIN-ZIM to start 2021 with a double issue, coming out close to the end of the second month of the year. As you can see, there has been a lot to cover, a lot to reflect on, and a lot to look forward to. </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">It wasn't easy to navigate the roller coaster ride that was 2020, and the uncertainties of last year have continued into the new year, but there is hope as science continues to make inroads into ways of handling the pandemic. This trying season has tested our resilience as humans, and has made us reflect and project, and in some cases, we have found it difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel, especially because we didn't have quite a handle of what the tunnel looks like. But for artists, especially we poets, writers, playwrights, what has the year meant for our work? </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">For me, 2020 meant less writing of new projects, but a reflection on past works, as well as some planning for a post-pandemic future of creativity. I found that the present was too illusive, but still there, the present within which my work should find its roots, a present that at times seems too slow, at other times vanishing fast, a present loaded with uncertainty. But hope was always there, hope retained through the idea of community which seemed threated by "social distancing", a terrible term that somehow benefited community. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I have watched with great optimism the proliferation of community through alternative means, means which have become the norm. Platforms like Whatsapp, Zoom, Facebook, YouTube have helped us avoid the damaging effects of misnamed social distance (if it were up to me, I would settle for 'physical distancing!'). WIN-ZIM, initially just as pandemic-threatened as any other organization that thrives on collaborative, in-person initiatives, has found strength (to the extent that strength was possible) in social media. This time has opened up other ways of staying connected, and with this level of connectedness, I have seen resilient writers who have continued to share their works on social media, and especially on our WhatsApp platform. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Believe me when I say that there are signs of growth. As this double-issue shows, we are at a time when the influence and reach of the association is expanding. We have a bigger membership, and we are launching collaborative projects that benefit our writers. The JAC/WIN Scriptwriting Project is one example of what the future holds for us. We are also headed into the direction of disappearing boundaries, as through this pandemic, we have discovered that our connectedness is critical in what we do, and that geographical boundaries are unnecessary obstacles. Through technology such as Zoom, WhatsApp, Facebook Live, and others, our collaboration could go beyond the boundaries of Zimbabwe, of Africa. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I am aware of the connectivity issues that we sometimes experience, and of challenges that may make us prioritize livelihoods over data bundles, but I also urge every artist to consider their art as important as other sources of livelihood. My focus this year as a creative is to educate myself on the business of my art, on understanding monetization, and on connecting with networks that enhance my success in these pursuits. I want to see WIN-ZIM playing this role of empowering its members through projects that help them better their livelihoods. For this to succeed though, the membership has to be invested in their works and in the vision of the association. To use pandemic parlance, "Together we can make it." </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://win-zimbabwe.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Read more at WIN-ZIM</a></p>Emmanuel Sigaukehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04171063918198721862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411302945139198834.post-47359372934568052872020-10-30T08:56:00.007-07:002020-10-31T09:07:01.263-07:00African Writers in US Publishing <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWKqzkE-iIi9qMXkN141u3sx3DttJS2gbug_5Nnrzzqg7Hg9sxGHAuzdxLb_9QoL_MhIqT_wfkX-VfArkew0TWJfDa5USrurZ9YwSgrBtcbWn_qUifDe3CI5P_QOcSVPVA1mnv7-d6gWw/s600/Old+Drift.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="397" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWKqzkE-iIi9qMXkN141u3sx3DttJS2gbug_5Nnrzzqg7Hg9sxGHAuzdxLb_9QoL_MhIqT_wfkX-VfArkew0TWJfDa5USrurZ9YwSgrBtcbWn_qUifDe3CI5P_QOcSVPVA1mnv7-d6gWw/s320/Old+Drift.jpg" /></a></div><br /> Back in 2007, when I started this blog, I was lamenting the scarcity of fiction by African writers in US bookstores. I knew this very well, for I had spent five of my ten years in the US working for a bookstore, crawling my way to Inventory Manager, where my efforts to expand the African literature collection were frustrated by lack of inventory that was within the US distribution system.<div><br /></div><div>But by 2007, signs were showing of books by African writers making their way into the country, some of them becoming instant bestsellers (and bestseller to me may not mean that a lot of Americans were buying them, but that Africans based in the US were buying them). Now you could find works by Chimamanda Adichie, Petina Gappah, Maaza Mengiste, and others. But still, I felt back then that a lot more promotion of the writing was needed. So whenever there was a new publication by an African writer, I celebrated it on this blog, and I got to interview some of the writers on my other blogging platforms. <p></p><p>Now, African writing has gained the attention of American publishers, who seem to see an opportunity that needs to be mined. We have big names on a sturdy publishing schedule (book deals) in the US-UK markets, and there are indications that readers in these markets are also growing a palate for these books. The great thing about this is that the generation of writers making it into these markets have powerful agents based in the US or UK, and the success of these writers is opening up opportunities for other writers. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmcU2J03XTsQCRZCspfxssQn02lnwIOxAVSApaBxO2CTuMiakAlYQoMBJazIiOByu5IrtWEuTxBSB6Q4CkUP0qNKWlHtP9Sny6Zqmou5tBY9Jfpfi1VVllwIA7P5jq5GdaGzg_MTluJ-U/s499/shadow+king.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="326" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmcU2J03XTsQCRZCspfxssQn02lnwIOxAVSApaBxO2CTuMiakAlYQoMBJazIiOByu5IrtWEuTxBSB6Q4CkUP0qNKWlHtP9Sny6Zqmou5tBY9Jfpfi1VVllwIA7P5jq5GdaGzg_MTluJ-U/s320/shadow+king.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>More and more African writers are also getting into prestigious MFA programs, which are exposing them to craft and community. </p><p>I will be starting a series of blogs where a profile the writers who have broken into the US markets, and talking about opportunities available for African writers. </p></div>Emmanuel Sigaukehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04171063918198721862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411302945139198834.post-63299979841528251102019-05-24T18:46:00.001-07:002019-05-24T18:46:28.654-07:00Writivism 2019 Shortlists Announced<h1 class="entry-title" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 28px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">
Writivism has announced the 2019 Short story contest shortlist of three short stories. The search for the winning story is still going on, but for now, enjoy the contending stories. Here are the three writers and links to their stories.</h1>
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<a class="image-anchor" href="http://munyori.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/reso-e1558315618459.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0089c4; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><img alt="reso" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-1937" height="203" scale="0" src="https://munyori.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/reso-300x203.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; float: left; height: auto; margin: 5px 20px 20px 0px; max-width: 100%; overflow-wrap: break-word;" width="300" /></a><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14pt; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Resoketswe Manenzhe, author of <a href="http://munyori.org/fiction/maserumo-by-resoketswe-m-manenzhe-south-africa/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0089c4; overflow-wrap: break-word;">“Maserumo”</a>, is a PhD candidate with the chemical engineering department at the University of Cape Town; this, after receiving her master’s degree with distinction. Starting in 2015, her poems and short stories have appeared in several online magazines and journals, and in 2017, two of her poems were shortlisted for the Sol Plaatje EU Poetry Anthology, and subsequently published in the anthology of selected poems. She currently lives in Cape Town, South Africa, but she’s been known to occasionally wander to the Arctic region, where she fell in love with blueberry pie and a small rural town whose name is difficult to pronounce.</span></div>
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<a class="image-anchor" href="http://munyori.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/frances-e1558316014226.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0089c4; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><img alt="frances" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-1940" height="300" scale="0" src="https://munyori.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/frances-188x300.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; float: left; height: auto; margin: 5px 20px 20px 0px; max-width: 100%; overflow-wrap: break-word;" width="188" /></a><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14pt; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Frances Ogamba’s stories appear in Afridiaspora and Writivism 2016 Short Story Prize Anthology, Dwartonline and Ynaija websites, and on Enkare review. She is a workshop alumnus of Writivism 2016, Ake fiction 2016, and Winter Tangerine 2016. She lives in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Go read her shortlisted story, <a href="http://munyori.org/fiction/ghana-boy-by-frances-ogamba/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0089c4; overflow-wrap: break-word;">“Ghana Boy”</a>.</span></div>
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<a class="image-anchor" href="http://munyori.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/vuyelwa-e1558316405274.jpeg" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0089c4; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><img alt="vuyelwa" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-1943" height="200" scale="0" src="https://munyori.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/vuyelwa-300x200.jpeg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; float: left; height: auto; margin: 5px 20px 20px 0px; max-width: 100%; overflow-wrap: break-word;" width="300" /></a><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14pt; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Vuyelwa Maluleke is a Performance Poet, Scriptwriter and Actor, who holds a Bachelor of Arts in Dramatic Arts from the University of Witwatersrand. She was shortlisted for the Brunel University African Poetry Prize in 2014, and is the author of the chapbook “THINGS WE LOST IN THE FIRE”. A slam champion of the Word and Sound 2015 Poetry league competition with an essay in the recent publication of Selves: An Afro Anthology of creative non-fiction 2018. Maluleke, who is the Co-creator of the choreopoem NO ONE WANTS A BLACK WOMAN WITH A MOUTH (2016) describes her work as an attempt to archive, retell, and give names to the personal experience of Blackness, Girlhood, and Womanhood. She is currently a Masters in Creative Writing candidate at the University previously known as Rhodes. Go read her shortlisted story, <a href="http://munyori.org/fiction/tale-by-vuyelwa-maluleke/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0089c4; overflow-wrap: break-word;">“Tale”</a>.</span></div>
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Emmanuel Sigaukehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04171063918198721862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411302945139198834.post-72423958910302193902018-07-26T09:42:00.000-07:002018-07-26T10:21:54.866-07:00The Importance of Writing Contests to Emerging Writers Thank you for the opportunity to share a few words on writing contests and the emerging writer. While I can talk about different types of writing competitions, I am going to focus on the short story in this discussion. I have judged a few writing contests featuring both unpublished and published entries. One of my earliest judging assignments was in 1996, for the Budding Writers Association of Zimbabwe (BWAZ), the English short story category. I remember that the winners were Memory Chirere (open category) and Wilson Mutingwende, a high school student Ndima High School in Chimanimani. Winning a prize in a writing contest boosts a writer's productivity and exposes their work to publishers and readers. Below is a point-by-point coverage of some of the things I have learned as a judge of different contests.<br />
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1. Participating in writing competitions can potentially lead to your being discovered by publishers and readers. Competitions encourage a spirit of competitiveness which helps you to challenge yourself and produce some writing on demand. You will be exposing your work work to judgment. Sending your work away like that may create a provisional vacuum that challenges you to create more work...while you wait. Continuing to write (a defensive act sometimes) while you wait is important in that it enables you to face loss better (if you don't win or even make the long list.) The truth is you have not lost anything; you have just not won in the particular contest, and sometimes it's best that you haven't won.<br />
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3. Besides challenging yourself, participating in contests helps with an awareness of what the market is looking for. Some contests are driven by specific themes or issues. It could be a contest featuring stories on the theme of Boundaries, in which the writer is open to interpret the theme as they see fit. The process gains a focus and helps the writers try issues that may have been outside of their interest, and by exploring the specific theme, the writer may become aware of other issues they could explore. This is the joy of creativity: using writing as a discovery process.<br />
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4. Not all competitions are created equal. There are many categories to consider, but it is important to locate competitions for various reasons, such as ease of submission. It is important sometimes to focus on more local contests, even they may not give a lot in terms of prize money. I remember a competition I won once, run by Lion Press, which was based in the UK, but it was a contest for Zimbabweans. I submitted my short story "Call Centre" and it won the first prize, which was $200, but that story got the kind of exposure that got it selected for an anthology of short fiction by African and Asian writers.<br />
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5. Free entries versus paid submissions: Most emerging writers can benefit from competitions that do not require entry fees. Most American writing contests require submission fees of between $10 and $25 dollars per story. This is definitely an obstacle for someone who may not have made any money from writing. But others view it as a worthwhile expense, an investment; after all, perhaps that $10 could have gone to a bottle of whisky or several beers, or even Chicken Inn! It's important to note that these entry fees are paid using credit or debit cards and systems like Paypal. I imagine that it is easier for Zimbabweans with the cash to process these entry fees. If that's the case, and you can spare $10 or so dollars, you will have access to a lot of international short story competitions.<br />
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6. In defense of entry fees. A lot of contests are run by non-profit organization or small presses. They use entry fees to cover costs such as paying the judge, building the prize money, and covering other costs. An organization I work with, the Sacramento Poetry Center, used to run an annual book competition in which the writers paid an entry fee of $25. While the board members did the work of screening entries and selecting a shortlist, the final judge was paid a fee and the rest of the money went towards processing costs and paying for the publication of the winning manuscript.<br />
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7. I have been involved in the different stages of the short story competition: mentoring, screening submissions, judging, editing, and publishing. In working with Uganda-based Writivism , for instance, I worked with emerging writers from different English-speaking and French-speaking African countries. I have come to understand that only a handful of African countries do participate, with the most participation coming from Nigeria, South Africa, Botswana, Malawi, Uganda, and Kenya. Just a few Zimbabweans have been featured, and I have assumed that perhaps emerging Zim writers were not aware or not interested. I recommend that you make occasional searches for contests that you can participate in. Most of the new ones serving African writers, such as Writivism and Short Story Day Africa emphasize serving the writers living on the continent. These are the best pathways to exposure and competitiveness.<br />
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8. The specific rules of a competition matter. Treat them like the instruction of an examination (O-Level, A-Level, SAT, etc). While the rules are useful as part of the industry's standard, they are used as part of the screening criteria. On nearly all contest entries, the author's name should not appear on the manuscript itself. This means manuscripts that show names will be disqualified immediately, even in contests where the entrant has paid a fee (the fees are always non-refundable).<br />
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9. Related to the issue of submission guidelines is the issue of formatting. The organizers are often clear on how the manuscript must be formatted. Many writers, because they are in a hurry to submit the work, or because of an impatience with such instructions, will turn in sloppy, unprofessional work. Such entries will not be taken seriously and will be screen out of the pool. You will be surprised at the overwhelming number of stories that get disqualified even when they show great potential.<br />
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10. Clean copy. While a journal or magazine editor may accept a story based on potential, and is willing to help the writer edit the story to its full potential, a story submitted for a competition should be the best its writer can make it. It is best to think of the story as perfect, which means revision, editing, and proofreading have been done. If the story grabs the attention of an early reader (the one who screens story for advancement to judging), then it will remain on the pile to be forwarded to the next step. So a clean copy which grabs the reader's attention is highly likely to be put under consideration.<br />
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11. As I stated earlier, most contests will pay you some kind of prize, and a few will include your work as part of a publication that results from a longlist or shortlist of the competitors.<br />
12. As you participate in a writing contest, take it seriously; it is a competition, and there will be hundreds of other writers entering that contest. Organizers of competitions often have overwhelming submissions, so weeding out works with obvious weaknesses is not a difficult part of their process.<br />
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Emmanuel Sigaukehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04171063918198721862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411302945139198834.post-80174864952808490172018-05-14T22:31:00.000-07:002018-05-14T22:32:18.522-07:00Mazvihwa to celebrate Culture Week in style by Emmanuel Mhike<pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
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<span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 10pt;">Culture Week is commemorated as part of the universal declaration on cultural diversity by the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) which also declare May 21 as the World day of Cultural diversity for dialogue and development.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 10pt;">Mazvihwa, a rural community South East of Zvishavane is set to celebrate in style this year's Culture Week which begins on May 19 to 25 throughout the country.The national launch will be in Gwanda, a more central venue according to the organizers, the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe ( NACZ). A Mazvihwa-based and non-profit organization, Muonde Trust has lined up three crucial Bio- Cultural </span><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 10pt;">activities for the week's celebrations.</span><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 10pt;">Top on the list is the collective effort by both the community and Muonde Trust in restoring Mazvihwa's popular sacred forest popularly and locally as ' Rambotemwa'. This sacred forest used to be home to a thousand variety of indigenous trees which were used for medicinal purposes for both the community's people and livestock.</span></div>
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Rambotemwa' also used to be the base for sacred rites, rituals and meetings as
it was regarded as the Mazvihwa ancestral Sprits' habitat.Two separate days
have been set aside for the sacred forest restoration. Firstly, there will be
an inclusive community meeting right at the sacred forest on Wednesday the 16th
of May. The meeting will be graced by Chief Mazvihwa himself, his headman,
Ministry of Home affairs and Culture, media and several government and non-
government relevant stakeholders invited.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 10pt;">Secondly, there will be planting of trees on Rambotemwa on May 21. After a thorough and deep Rambotemwa research Muonde Trust established an indigenous trees nursery well monitored by the Trust's nursery manager.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 10pt;">Thirdly, on May 23 there is going to be the Trust's usual and ongoing Sacred Wednesday dialogue program.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 10pt;">Sacred Wednesday program is an every Wednesday program where community elders, women and youths meet to discuss cultural issues, threats and development, in this case the dialogue and discussions will focus on this year's Culture Week theme. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 10pt;">All these three events will see great traditional performances from popular Mazvihwa and Muonde supported Traditional Dance groups, Zungwi and Jechete.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 10pt;">This year's Culture Week runs under the theme: CULTURE: A tool for building communities,Signifying, Identity and a true sense of belonging.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 10pt;">Muonde Trust which builds upon community's own capacity, norms, values and customs is pleased that the Culture Week's theme suits well with the cultural edutainment galore it lined up in Mazvihwa. Muonde Trust is a community based organization dedicated to forment locally- driven creativity and development in Mazvihwa and nighbouring areas South Central Zimbabwe ( Zvishavane district). Through its locally driven Cultural, Educational, Agricultural and extension programs, and a health dose of Action Research, Muonde back Indigenous developments efforts that maintains the connections between community, ecology and spirit.</span><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 10pt;">More organizational information is at www.muonde.org<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Emmanuel Sigaukehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04171063918198721862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411302945139198834.post-21662783121508974182018-05-11T20:30:00.000-07:002018-05-11T20:30:37.831-07:00African Duo Win International Literary Award <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOuvC6Fd3zq6AhnNL9ptoPfyu2r5guapZiDkRl8fkkWlYK78cRi-UL4PLVT5_I2QmDV2mgxgL9wNWf7IlU6GR1NRs_BLTiCJV6dRyfYEc4-zmWGcM6D5G5IlIt02LUHiAXtbCIgqM7Ghs/s1600/toby.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOuvC6Fd3zq6AhnNL9ptoPfyu2r5guapZiDkRl8fkkWlYK78cRi-UL4PLVT5_I2QmDV2mgxgL9wNWf7IlU6GR1NRs_BLTiCJV6dRyfYEc4-zmWGcM6D5G5IlIt02LUHiAXtbCIgqM7Ghs/s1600/toby.png" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiH84XdSvBrBcRdJ9sUBJ6UDQgF1s_jbECCvpvyy-FIcTM_Gpu_ZNUVP7dQfRCECvl08cNeoddOF8FeR3dt1zhP7h2e3zMjitn_UpwJeXe8Ik1EbANLR6PixuECdZpq3EP1UfMZgutyOA/s1600/portia.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="915" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiH84XdSvBrBcRdJ9sUBJ6UDQgF1s_jbECCvpvyy-FIcTM_Gpu_ZNUVP7dQfRCECvl08cNeoddOF8FeR3dt1zhP7h2e3zMjitn_UpwJeXe8Ik1EbANLR6PixuECdZpq3EP1UfMZgutyOA/s320/portia.png" width="239" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN">Accra,
Ghana, May 10, 2018</span></b><span lang="EN"> - Ghanaian writer, Portia Dery,
and South African artist, Toby Newsome have won the internationally coveted
Children's Africana Book Award (CABA<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">) </i>for
their book, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Grandma’s List. </i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN">( Portia Dery & Toby Newsome, 2018 CABA Winners)</span></i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN">The Children's Africana Book Award is an
annual prize presented to authors and illustrators of the best children’s and
young adult books on Africa published or republished in the U.S.A. The awards
were created by Africa Access and the Outreach Council of the African Studies
Association (ASA) and its sponsors include the African Studies departments of
universities Harvard, Howard and Yale among others. Past winning writers of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">CABA</i> include Desmond Tutu, Niki Daly and
Nnedi Okorafor.</span> </div>
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<span lang="EN"><o:p> </o:p></span><b><span lang="EN"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN">Grandma’s
List </span></i><span lang="EN">is a brilliant and colorful story about an 8-year
old girl Fatima, who wants to save the day by helping her Grandmother complete
her list of errands. The problem is, Fatima loses the list and she has to
recall from memory what was written on it. The rest of story then takes the
reader on a funny and heartwarming adventure with Fatima and her family. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN">Grandma’s
List</span></i><span lang="EN"> published by African Bureau Stories, won the 2018
CABA Young Children’s category along with books from international publishers
Penguin Random House, Candlewick Press and Lantana Publishing and a few others.
This is the second international children’s book award that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Grandma’s List </i>has won. It previously
won the prestigious Golden Baobab Prize for The Best Picture Book manuscript in
Africa in 2014.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN">The new children’s publishing house, African
Bureau Stories, has made an impressive move in publishing a truly Pan-african book
like Grandma’s List, which is a powerful literary partnership between Ghana and
South Africa. The publishing house’s aim is to produce world class and
contemporary African stories for children. In addition to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Grandma’s List,</i> African Bureau Stories has produced 3 other
children’s books which according to the publisher, Deborah Ahenkorah, are
“super cool books that will delight children all over the world.”</span> </div>
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<span lang="EN">Anastasia Shown, a CABA Reviewer from the
University of Pennsylvania says: “Grandma’s List is an excellent read aloud
book for school or storytime. The illustrations show a neighborhood in Ghana
that is very typical of many African towns with shops, gardens, small
livestock, and many people outside working and playing...One of the best
features of the book is the characters of many ages. There are kids playing,
vendors selling, teens on their phones, grownups working, and elders relaxing.
They wear African prints and western styled clothes...The book can generate
lots of great open ended questions” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN">--<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN">ABOUT
AFRICAN BUREAU STORIES <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN">African Bureau Stories is a pan-African
publishing house based in Accra, Ghana. Our goal is to develop high quality,
contemporary, fun, 100% African books for African children and readers around
the world. Our catalogue features handpicked stories by award-winning African
writers and illustrators produced in print and other formats. With a passionate
and experienced team, we pour our hearts into every product we make and ensure
the best quality possible for African children... and readers around the world!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN">For further information, photos or to arrange
interviews, please contact: Eunice Ahenkorah via info@africanbureau.com. Tel:
+233-558-870-3417. Website: <a href="http://www.africanbureau.com/"><span style="color: #1155cc;">www.africanbureau.com</span></a>. Follow us on Twitter
(@afbureaustories) and Facebook (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/africanbureau"><span style="color: #1155cc;">http://www.facebook.com/africanbureau</span></a>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Emmanuel Sigaukehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04171063918198721862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411302945139198834.post-40790399289754090552017-03-04T13:34:00.001-08:002017-03-04T13:34:08.937-08:00The State of African Literature Now<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXzGpVAD0qtHw5XmE0GDSASMlYiqxDx35GX955eO6pZoNUqQiuQWfXI9hUBJR-FbWmK2UFLe6Qr0VIMZGPPEJgR8GVpfraROYIu-sIw8dLszNyZ5fF0G1WnS5kDC8av23_Skb6QCDk04A/s1600/behold+the+dreamers.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXzGpVAD0qtHw5XmE0GDSASMlYiqxDx35GX955eO6pZoNUqQiuQWfXI9hUBJR-FbWmK2UFLe6Qr0VIMZGPPEJgR8GVpfraROYIu-sIw8dLszNyZ5fF0G1WnS5kDC8av23_Skb6QCDk04A/s1600/behold+the+dreamers.jpeg" /></a></div>
There is an abundance of it on US soil; it seems American publishers have discovered African writers (never mind that that haven't discovered me yet, because I haven't given them a chance to). I remember in the 90s, when I came to this country, I would scour book shelves, in bookstores and libraries, but it was hard to find many books by African writers. Yes, there was Achebe, and of course Ngugi, Soyinka. I needed more though. I couldn't find Marechera (I came to the realization that he had not penetrated the American market). I couldn't find Nervous Conditions, nor Why Don't You Carve Other animals. I couldn't find Bones, The Harvest of Thorns; I couldn't find The Beautiful Ones Are Not Yet Born; I couldn't find Song of Lawino, nor even The Breast of the Earth.<br />
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I was okay I guess, because then I made it a mission to find more Toni Morrison, James Baldwin, Richard Wright, Charles Johnson and others in the African American canon. It was good that three years earlier, Toni Morrison had been labelled Nobel material, so her work was everywhere; in fact, you could find it under Fiction, not in that special section called African American literature/Studies. She alone--Toni Morrison--was a lot to occupy one's time with, but there were other dreams: i was finally finding all the books I hadn't been able to find in Zimbabwe. Some had been banned there for some reason (The Satanic Verses comes to mind); and I was reading all of William Faulkner, and deepening my Hemingway, Melville, Hawthorne, even discovering whatever American writers thought they were doing when they wrote those journal entries in the seventeenth century. Emerson was there; Thoreau was there; Jonathan Edwards was there, Emily Dicknson was there; and there were many others; many many others. It was easy to forget about African literature altogether; to forget too that I once wrote; in fact, I fell for the journal entry approach, wrote and wrote about how America was treating me, vice versa.<br />
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Things seem to have changed just recently; I cannot keep up with work by African writers, and I am reading it too. Sometimes it is the only thing I get to read (but of course I am always reading American things )I teach this stuff, you know). I am reading many other things, and find that American publishers have given the nod to African writers. I don't though, if the readership has discovered the new literature that's being published for it....but I am part of that readership, and I can say, in short, we are getting there.<br />
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<br />Emmanuel Sigaukehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04171063918198721862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411302945139198834.post-49816159795709144312017-03-03T13:11:00.000-08:002017-03-03T18:52:01.237-08:00Emmanuel Hove Mhike of Chisiya Writers Club Interviews Himself <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ZioA2ZBRbDNZ2fxwD77R1PxErnYjJIS8EtgGVMslP8IPxjMTq_7SUhs4Bjd8bnBGONOHm9WgtnHOafLlbkdVdgNyuBwjrbqZKXV3IUOyp6zJMI_yjVW3tjbZuanpuupdpRnt6mJKzI0/s1600/emmanuel+mhike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ZioA2ZBRbDNZ2fxwD77R1PxErnYjJIS8EtgGVMslP8IPxjMTq_7SUhs4Bjd8bnBGONOHm9WgtnHOafLlbkdVdgNyuBwjrbqZKXV3IUOyp6zJMI_yjVW3tjbZuanpuupdpRnt6mJKzI0/s320/emmanuel+mhike.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "segoe ui" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "segoe ui" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "segoe ui" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "segoe ui" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><b>Who are you?*</b></span><br />
<br style="font-family: "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" />
<span style="font-family: "segoe ui" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">That's a tricky question. I was born Emmanuel Hove Mhike but I think I'm just a crazy Prince, Prince of Mazvihwa.</span><br />
<br style="font-family: "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" />
<span style="font-family: "segoe ui" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><b>Why do you write?</b></span><br />
<br style="font-family: "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" />
<span style="font-family: "segoe ui" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Writing is my life blood. I think the pen inhales the cabon dioxide I exhales and I inhales the oxygen it exhales :)</span><br />
<br style="font-family: "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" />
<span style="font-family: "segoe ui" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><b>How do you write?</b></span><br />
<br style="font-family: "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" />
<span style="font-family: "segoe ui" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">My writing is inspired by events. I do not think deeper. I write about my everyday experiences.</span><br />
<br style="font-family: "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" />
<span style="font-family: "segoe ui" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><b>Does it pays to be a writer in Zimbabwe?</b></span><br />
<br style="font-family: "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" />
<span style="font-family: "segoe ui" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">No, you pay to be a writer in Zimbabwe. Writers are living in abject poverty. The whole arts sector is languishing.</span><br />
<br style="font-family: "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" />
<span style="font-family: "segoe ui" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><b>What can be done?</b></span><br />
<br style="font-family: "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" />
<span style="font-family: "segoe ui" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Writers, we are agents of change. Zim politics is the culprit. We don't need violence, Pen is mightier than the gun!</span><br />
<br style="font-family: "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" />
<span style="font-family: "segoe ui" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><b>Do you enjoy writing?</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "segoe ui" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Absolutely! I live to write. I enjoy readers' comments, complaints and complements</span><br />
<b><br style="font-family: "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "segoe ui" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">What can you say about your poems?</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "segoe ui" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Here is the Universal remedy. This universe needs some healing, it is suffering from dangerous but curable diseases such as corruption, civil wars, human trafficking, social injustice, ecological and cultural erosion, climate change, dictatorship...</span><br />
<br style="font-family: "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" />
<span style="font-family: "segoe ui" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><b>Who inspired you and who are your favorite Zimbabwean writers?</b></span><br />
<br style="font-family: "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" />
<span style="font-family: "segoe ui" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Got the inspiration from Emmanuel Sigauke. I love and like Shimmer Chinodya, Charles Mungoshi, Tsitsi Dangarebwa, Memory Chirere and above them all the late Dambudzo Marechera!</span><br />
<br style="font-family: "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" />
<span style="font-family: "segoe ui" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><b>Which Zim budding Writers do you think have a great future?</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "segoe ui" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Everyday I interact with some fantastic budding writers mainly from our Writers' Club, Chisiya Writers' Club. I read and enjoy creative works from young crazy writers like Talent Cement, Stanley Mushava, Simbarashe Chirikure, Rumbidzai Mubirira, Lizzy, Neo, Shingi Manyengavana, Irvine Muzondo, Melusi Makumbirofa, Mupisa, Matindike, Loveness Makuwaza, Dean the poet, Abel Mauchi, Jonathan, Tinashe, Munyori Kudzi...</span><br />
<b><br style="font-family: "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="font-family: "segoe ui" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">What is the title of the poem anthology book you are about to publish?</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "segoe ui" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Book of nonsense</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "segoe ui" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><b>Book of nonsense? Why?</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "segoe ui" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">I didn't came up with the title myself, my relatives and friends did. They all thought what I was busy doing was nonsense. Like many people in my country or should I say continent, writing is not considered a profession worth taking. We, writers we are regarded as mad people busy writing nonsense.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "segoe ui" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><b>Your last words to the world?</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "segoe ui" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">The world is all about others.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "segoe ui" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Like a fish out of water, you can't survive without others. Do everything with others in mind.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "segoe ui" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">LOVE ONE ANOTHER!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "segoe ui" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">LONG LIVE OUR SHARED PLANET!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "segoe ui" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Emmanuel Hove Mhike ©02/07/2017</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "segoe ui" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">princeemmanuel1987@yahoo.com</span>Emmanuel Sigaukehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04171063918198721862noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411302945139198834.post-10894565941540982302017-01-14T21:22:00.001-08:002017-01-14T21:22:02.394-08:00MLK Reading at Sacramento Poetry Center<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="templateWrapper" style="border-collapse: collapse !important; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
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<span class="span_font" style="font-size: 22px;">Straight Out Scribes </span><span class="span_font" style="font-size: 22px;"><span class="span_font"><span class="span_font_wrapper">�� </span></span>NSAA<br />Sean King </span><span class="span_font" style="font-size: 22px;"><span class="span_font"><span class="span_font_wrapper">��</span></span> Michael Ellis</span></div>
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<span class="span_font" style="font-size: 16px;">Monday</span><span style="color: indigo;"><span class="span_font" style="font-size: 18px;">,</span></span><span class="span_font" style="font-size: 16px;"> January 16 @ 7:30 pm</span></div>
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<span class="span_font" style="font-size: 16px;">Sacramento Poetry Center, 1719 25th St</span><em><span class="span_font" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="span_font_wrapper"></span></span></em></div>
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<span class="span_font" style="font-size: 16px;">Host: Emmanuel Sigauke</span></div>
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<em><span class="span_font" style="font-size: 16px;"> Free Admission</span></em></div>
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<span style="color: lightgrey;"><span class="span_font" style="font-size: 20px;"><span class="span_font_wrapper"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Straight Out Scribes</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: lightgrey;">Dr. V.S. Chochezi and Staajabu</span></div>
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<span style="color: lightgrey;"><span class="span_font" style="font-size: 20px;"><span class="span_font_wrapper"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">NSAA </span></span></span><span class="span_font" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="span_font_wrapper"></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: lightgrey;">Lawrence E Dinkins Jr</span></div>
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<span style="color: lightgrey;"><span class="span_font" style="font-size: 20px;"><span class="span_font_wrapper"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Sean King</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: lightgrey;"><span class="span_font" style="font-size: 20px;"><span class="span_font_wrapper"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Michael Ellis</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span class="span_font" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="span_font_wrapper"></span></span></span><span class="span_font" style="font-size: 14px;"><span class="span_font_wrapper"><span style="color: lightgrey;"><em>Straight Out Scribes, Dr. V.S. Chochezi and Staajabu, Sacramento's unique mother/daughter dynamic poetry duo is still in full effect as they embrace the New Year. If you want to get the year off to an uplifting, inspiring, start come share some positive vibes with Straight Out Scribes! </em></span></span></span><em><span style="color: lightgrey;">Dr. V.S. Chochezi and Staajabu also known as Straight Out Scribes have published and performed their original poetry at numerous venues in California and nationally. They have published 7 books of poetry, one Sci-fi Anthology and two CD compilations. They have also produced and coordinated a number of poetry and art related programs in Sacramento since they settled here in 1991. Often referred to as activist poets, they have lent their voices to such causes as the Campaign to Save the Life of Mumia Abu-Jamal, freedom for the MOVE 9, Leonard Peltier, and other political prisoners. They have supported environmental causes, GLBT rights and are members of ZICA Creative Arts and Literary Guild of Sacramento. </span></em><span class="span_font" style="font-size: 14px;"><span class="span_font_wrapper"><span style="color: lightgrey;"><em></em></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span class="span_font" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="span_font_wrapper"></span></span></span><em><span class="span_font" style="font-size: 14px;"><span class="span_font_wrapper"><span style="color: lightgrey;">Lawrence E Dinkins Jr —penname NSAA [pronounced en-sah-ah]— is a fire and brimstone urban poet seasoned with sex, reflection, tongue-in-cheek wit, and a cautious hope in the human race. This self-described pessimistic-optimist believes poetry has purpose— beyond beautifying bookshelves. He experiments with combining poetry with music, recordings, video, and visual art. He has several chapbooks and CDs, and his collection of art, photography, and poetry "Open Mic Sketchbook," is available from little m press. Lawrence frequently attends, performs at, and hosts poetry and new music events in Sacramento and elsewhere in northern California.</span></span></span></em></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span class="span_font" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="span_font_wrapper"></span></span></span><span class="span_font" style="font-size: 14px;"><span class="span_font_wrapper"><em><span style="color: lightgrey;">Sean King is a 43 year old Computer Engineer, Poet, Spoken Word Artist, Published Author, Youth Editor for "Sacramento Newsletter," Mentor, Father, Husband, and active in conducting workshops and discussions ranging from Black Lives Matter to Hip-Hop to Job Interview Skills to Writing. Sean has been writing and performing poetry for 22 years, has graced classrooms, auditoriums, stages, and even weddings all across the country. Sean has also published three books of poetry, made radio and TV appearances, and had his work featured in several other publications such as "Sacramento voices." What Sean is most proud of is having the opportunity to touch lives in a positive way. At the end of the day, his only goal is use the talent he's been given to make humanity as a whole better.</span></em></span></span><span class="span_font" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="span_font_wrapper"><em><span style="color: lightgrey;"></span></em></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span class="span_font" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="span_font_wrapper"></span></span></span><span style="color: lightgrey;"><em><span class="span_font" style="font-size: 14px;">M.e. Miller, also known as Michael Ellis, was professionally published before he graduated from high school. His dialect poems, “Black shoes” and “What Ya Stealin for?” were enough to impress the University of Puget Sound, where he majored in English and minored in Journalism. Six years later Ellis went from the page to the stage, performing in more than a hundred readings. He became an orator and a dramatist, teaching himself to perform in more than twenty unique voices. He used his ability more often to help people who were victims of abuse and injustice. On stage he tells stories by combining prose and poetry, naming his style "Prosetry." He is currently a teacher of writing at Sacramento State Prison and had taught at several public schools. He is the founder of KEYNOTE POETS which reaches thousands of people locally and around the world and the founder of a popular poetry venue here in Sacramento.</span></em></span></div>
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Emmanuel Sigaukehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04171063918198721862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411302945139198834.post-79534350936457696672017-01-14T10:39:00.002-08:002017-01-14T15:01:23.292-08:00Munyori 2017 Update 1This is the 10th Anniversary year for Munyori Literary Journal, and we plan to make it a great year of serious publications. Submit your best. We start the year with a captivating short story by Zimbabwean writer Rumbi Munochiveyi's "A Certain Time Ago", which has gotten a huge following on the site, so many captivated and inspired readers, as our page stats have shown.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAIhMxiusW5WVfu-UPkJaSNVwVX2aGgKkY_HtS-0R-hVVPArK3axtBsqYoAyqwubL4-YROVnGBLfpOafq3ePlq7iryWQMuqPrAXyFcIRl30WrEyq6DXlPLnYMCp1GjEdo_quHz9iFwadw/s1600/rumbi+munochiveyi+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAIhMxiusW5WVfu-UPkJaSNVwVX2aGgKkY_HtS-0R-hVVPArK3axtBsqYoAyqwubL4-YROVnGBLfpOafq3ePlq7iryWQMuqPrAXyFcIRl30WrEyq6DXlPLnYMCp1GjEdo_quHz9iFwadw/s320/rumbi+munochiveyi+.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>Rumbi Munochiveyi is a Zimbabwean writer who is currently completing her B.S. in Mathematics at the Worcester State University, Massachusetts. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband and four children. This is her second story to appear in Munyori Literary Journal.</b></div>
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Ambuya died on a breezy, early August afternoon, twenty-five minutes after six o’clock, with my mother sitting next to her bed, calmly watching life slip out of her. Mamma folded her mother’s arms over a bosom barely covered by a thin-threaded muslin nightdress my grandmother had worn each night for seven years, and covered the eyes’ whites before calling anyone, before shedding a single tear, like it was the most normal thing to do on a Thursday afternoon.</div>
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August 5<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 10.5px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">th</span> 2004, it says on Ambuya’s grave.</div>
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Her death shattered so many things, many parts of me, it has taken a while to make it all out into something coherent, an explanation of sorts for those who say, hurry, hurry now, wipe those tears, close those holes, and walk on.</div>
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I can’t.</div>
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<a href="http://munyori.org/fiction/a-certain-time-ago-by-rumbi-munochiveyi/" target="_blank">Okay now, go read the rest of the story here</a>.Emmanuel Sigaukehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04171063918198721862noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411302945139198834.post-87431224178195648092017-01-13T23:50:00.000-08:002017-01-13T23:50:37.754-08:00aMabooks Call for Short Story Submissions 2017<div class="MsoNormal">
Stories Invited for a Zimbabwean Short Story Collection<o:p></o:p></div>
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amaBooks Publishers are planning a collection of Zimbabwean
short stories, to be published in 2017.
We are inviting submissions by February 14, 2017. There are no
restrictions on the length of the stories, and there is no particular theme. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Stories for consideration should be emailed as Word
attachments, with no artwork or photographs included, to <a href="mailto:amabooksbyo@gmail.com">amabooksbyo@gmail.com</a>. Unfortunately,
we will be unable to give feedback on those stories that are not accepted for
publication.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The writers whose work is accepted will each receive a copy
of the book and they will retain copyright of their stories.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The previous collections of short writings published by
amaBooks include <i>Where to Now? Short
Stories from Zimbabwe</i>, <i>Long Time Coming:
Short Writings from Zimbabwe</i> and <i>Short
Writings from Bulawayo</i> <i>I</i>, <i>II</i> and <i>III</i>. <i>Where to Now?</i> was
co-published by Parthian Books in the UK and <i>Long Time Coming</i> was selected by <i>New Internationalist</i> as one of the two best books from across the
world in 2010. <o:p></o:p></div>
Emmanuel Sigaukehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04171063918198721862noreply@blogger.com0