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Youth Buzz
Delight Nyamande
LAWRENCE Muramba, a law student at the University of Zimbabwe, is 21-years -old and a book he has authored has since been adopted by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education for use in schools.
The book, “The Literature in English Critical Appreciation and Analysis Handbook”, has been used by Advanced Level learners since last year.
It also covers the Continuous Assessment Learning Activities (CALA) guides, in line with Education 5.0.
Despite his relatively young age, he has already written four books in total.
But it is his literature handbook that has made him stand out as an author.
“It covers concepts for both ZIMSEC (Zimbabwe School Examinations Council) and Cambridge examinations with well-written examples and illustrations that help one grasp the concepts and skills. Since literature is all about grasping concepts, acquiring and applying skills and then mastering approaches, much of the essentials needed are well-articulated therein,” Muramba said.
He drew his inspiration from the fact that at “A” Level, Literature in English is usually considered tough, and this is compounded by limited textbooks learners can use.
“Seeing my peers failing the subject due to lack of access to enough reading and teaching material gave me the zeal to pen this book and make schooling a better experience,” he said.
An avid reader from a tender age, Muramba started writing poems and short stories by the age of 18.
By 2020, he had founded the Alberts Literature — a board that brings together writers, poets and novelists to share ideas on their written pieces, as well as help sharpen learners’ knowledge of literature.
The board is named after his father, who was also an avid reader of literature pieces.
“I took the initiative of founding Alberts Literature, which is a board where the book was published in 2022, and already there are some testimonies coming from learners who had the privilege of using the textbook,” he told The Sunday Mail.
Among the literary gurus who have inspired him are Charles Mungoshi, Kenyan writer Ngugi wa Thiong’o and veteran lawyer Professor Lovemore Madhuku.
He hopes the book will impact many “A” Level learners while also providing a unique perspective to teachers handling the classes.
The young writer’s other books are: “Thorns and Bristles” (2018), “Echoes of the Heart and Storms of the Mind” (2019) and “In the Streets” (2021).
◆ Twitter: @NyamandeDelight2
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