daniel chigunwe
Tafadzwa Zimoyo Senior Arts Reporter
Local authors have been urged to adapt to the culture of releasing their books in audio format and uploading them on virtual platforms in light of the Covid-19 pandemic that has affected the literary sector.
The call was made by DHL Global Forwarding country manager Shuvai Mugadza during the launch of author, novelist and playwright Humphreys Takudzwa Sambo’s anthology, “God’s Shadow and Other Stories” recently, where she endorsed the book.
The 83-page anthology is a collection of short stories focusing on social ills, religion, heroes and motivation.
In an interview, Mugadza, who is also listed among the top 40 influential women in Zimbabwe, said due to technology which is making life fast and easy, authors should have their books on audio which becomes easy to listen to..
“If you check now, most business people no longer have time to read the book because of their schedule and work,” she said.
“The best time they can have is maybe when they are driving or relaxing at home. You can play the audio book in your car and it is much more comfortable.”
Mugadza said Africans have always been writers and must document their own experiences through elaborate literature.
“Zimbabwean writers must polish up their work to be able to compete on the international stage. We should be the first people to tell our own story in our own language and style rather than having foreigners sharing a different narrative.
“I am happy that Zimbabweans are embracing the culture of reading. This then promotes and develops morals as the moral social ills and solutions will be in the book, hence readers learn from that,” said Mugadza.
Sambo said his collection was inspired by societal settings.
“I wrote this collection of short stories with my sister Lucille who is currently based in Europe. The book is intriguing, fascinating and is loaded with entertaining short stories that reflect on the daily lives of people.”
Sambo, who has been nicknamed the young Ngugi after the great Kenyan writers Ngugi wa Mirii and Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o due to his literary prowess, said he was going to use the pen to offer solutions to community problems.
“Gone are the days when they say if you want to hide something from an African, hide it in the book,” he said.
“These days’ young people are reading, be it magazines or novels, henceforth it is our duty to portray the social ills and suggest solutions in the book.
“I looked at the issue of child labour, abuse, sexual abuse, drug abuse, heroes as role models and religion, which is somehow controlling the society, and this led me to write short stories that are suitable to read for all ages.”
Asked where the book will be found, Sambo said it was already uploaded on virtual platforms like Amazon.
Sambo said his next project was to work on biographies of selected celebrities.
“As a writer, mymessage is also shaped by our connection with the environment and society through our five senses,” he said.
“So, it is our duty to be creative amidst any crisis so that the future generations can know what we experienced and how we responded.
“My book is a available to film-makers locally and internationally who are interested in creating movies and documentaries.
“Great movies come from great books, and it is high time for Africa to export her writing talent across the world.”
Sambo encouraged upcoming writers not to give up, as true writers must be driven by their passion, and not the love of money.
Online Reporter