tawandamusarurwa
Tendai Chara
LOVEMORE Kashawo, the well-known prolific “Letters to the Editor” writer, has a lot in common with Lawrence “The Pen Pusher” Moyo, another equally popular writer.
These two writers wrote daily and weekly “Letters to the Editor” to Zimpapers publications. Apart from their extreme love for letter writing, the two share the same enthusiasm for soccer, reading and watching television.
Kashawo, who is based in Harare’s high-density suburb of Kuwadzana, is a staunch Dynamos and Manchester United supporter.
On the other hand, the 57-year-old Moyo, who was born and bred in the coal mining town of Hwange, has a deep attachment to Hwange Football Club.
Starting off as a “Letters to the Editor” contributor, the Hwange-based Moyo has successfully branched into poetry, acting, singing and comedy.
Apart from being a plant operator at the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA), the father of two is a part-time radio presenter and newspaper contributor.
Moyo’s comic skits, which are featured on several social media platforms, command a decent following.
He is a popular presenter on Lyeja FM, a Hwange-based community radio station that broadcasts in the local Nambya language.
As an actor, Moyo featured in a Nambya television drama titled “Doti”.
His poem “Fukula” was turned into a song, which became a hit on Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC)’s music charts.
The former Tsholotsho High School learner was also given a major role in a yet-to-be-released Rooftop Promotions sitcom. In a major breakthrough, Moyo is also penning a much-followed newspaper column titled “Blast from the Past”.
The column is published under the New Ziana stable.
Speaking from his Hwange base, Moyo said starting off as a letter writer created the opportunities he is seizing with both hands.
“Writing letters to editors gave me the opportunity to meet important contacts. It also made the transition from letter writing to hard news writing easier,” said Moyo, who is also a master of ceremonies.
In the past, Moyo contributed poems and letters to the now defunct publications Parade, Horizon and The Nation.
Currently, he contributes regularly to the Hwange Colliery Company newsletter Malasha, The Sunday Mail, The Chronicle and The Sunday News, among other publications.
A popular figure in Hwange, Moyo is currently studying towards a media qualification.
With Moyo basking in new-found glory, all is not well for his close acquaintance, Kashawo.
“I cannot lie to you, my brother. My career as a writer is wilting. I am not employed and, as you know, I am not getting paid for writing those letters,” said the shy and introverted Kashawo.
The 44-year-old writer, who is still single and was never formally employed, strongly believes Lady Luck has deserted him.
“In 2006, I won a ticket and travelled to Egypt, where I watched the Africa Cup of Nations finals. In 2013, I won another ticket that took me to South Africa for the Big Brother official closing ceremony.”
“Ever since, I only won a T-shirt and nothing meaningful. Luck is not on my side anymore,” a clearly dejected Kashawo said.
A regular contributor to several WhatsApp sports groups, Kashawo has a desire to have some of his works published in the vernacular newspaper Kwayedza.
“I can contribute meaningfully to the ‘Dzidza’ column in Kwayedza. I used to write for this paper, giving learners valuable educational tips. Tell me, is Mr (Patrick) Shamba (the Kwayedza editor) approachable?” Kashawo enquired.
Apart from the zeal to write for Kwayedza, Kashawo proposed to write a column for any interested media house.
“I have in mind a column that I would like to call ‘This and That’. This column will be exploring developments in the sporting arena,” said Kashawo — who can also write hard news articles, short stories and jokes.
Kashawo’s works are regularly recognised by Robson Sharuko, the H-Metro editor; and Charles Mabika, a radio and television personality.
Star FM’s Steve Vickers once described Kashawo as a “great statistician”.
Kashawo ruled out the possibility of him featuring in comic skits.
“I will leave that to my friend, The Pen Pusher. I hate the cameras. Television production is not my cup of tea,” he said.
Unlike Moyo, it seems Kashawo is struggling to transform himself from being a “Letters to the Editor” contributor to being a full-fledged journalist.
Online Reporter