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Mbulelo Mpofu, Sunday Life Reporter
BULAWAYO matriarchs today join the rest of the world in celebrating International Women’s Day where they reflect on their social, economic, cultural and political achievements.
A number of women stand out in various socio-economic as well as political areas, an indication that Zimbabwe has moved milestones in empowering them. Among those whose contributions are not easy to ignore is veteran educationist and author, Ericah Gwetai.
As the mother of the late literary polymath Yvonne Vera, Gwetai carries a legacy that is closely watched and often romanticised. Yet she is quick to assert that while she respects and honours her daughter’s ground-breaking work, she is her own person, with a distinct journey, voice and body of accomplishments.
Gwetai’s achievements speak to a lifetime devoted to both the arts and education. In 2023, she was made an icon at the Bulawayo Arts Awards, recognising her immense contribution to the local creative sector. It was a fitting tribute to a woman who has, over the years, skilfully balanced scholarship and artistic expression, quietly building a legacy of her own.
As she enters the eighth chapter of her literary career, Gwetai says she has discovered a new level of bravery, one she had not reached in her earlier works. Her latest offering, a short story collection titled: Living Memories, confronts contemporary issues head-on, exploring the impact of migration, the struggles of those in the diaspora, bullying in schools and the complexities of human behaviour.
The collection also interrogates the tensions between modern and traditional forms of communication, reflecting a society in transition.
In an insightful interview with Sunday Life, Gwetai reflected on the empowering nature of her latest work.
“This book is different because in this one, I was brave enough to say things I couldn’t speak about in the other ones.
In this book, I detailed ills perpetrated by people in various walks of life, lecturers to staffing officers in major organisations or departments.”
Highlighting the pervasive issue of bullying, Gwetai noted its troubling presence even among educators.
“There were several issues that I felt needed to be addressed, so that people who are often overlooked can have a voice through my work. So, I think this is what differentiates this book from all the other work I have done. I was brave,” she said.
Reflecting on her life experiences, Gwetai noted the profound transformations Zimbabwean society has undergone over the past four decades.
“I was inspired to write this book simply because life has changed. I wanted to educate people, because even in this century, some myths still persist. For instance, I believe that if someone is poisoned, they will die, but many still hold supernatural beliefs. Some even think that being struck by lightning is the result of witchcraft.”
Despite the challenges, Gwetai described creating Living Memories as a reflective experience.
“I started writing this book in December of 2024, but the process had begun earlier than that. I take my time before I start working on any new book. Writing and thinking are two different things, and before writing, you need to think about what you’re going to put down on paper,” she said.
In an era when reading is often seen as a fading habit, Gwetai insists that her latest collection stems from her enduring passion for literature.
“You also need to read the work of others. You can’t become a good writer without it. Wherever I am, I am always writing, observing and storing ideas in my mind,” she said.
Gwetai’s journey began in Heany Junction, near Bulawayo, where growing up under colonial rule shaped and sharpened her awareness of social injustices and sparked her desire to write.
“ My father was a soldier and we later moved to Luveve in the 1950s, where I grew up. It was during the colonial era and we were often ill-treated by white settlers. Even though life was unfair, we accepted it as it was, we knew these people were rich and that some things, like owning an aeroplane, were beyond our reach.
“Yet we observed everything carefully, storing these experiences in our minds. That urge to express what we felt eventually led me to start writing,” she said.
Her literary influences are as diverse as they are profound.
“I was influenced by my daughter, the late Dr Yvonne Vera, whose novels are taught in universities in Africa, Europe and North America. I was also influenced by Chinua Achebe and Chenjerai Hove.”
Her academic journey, culminating in a degree in English and Communication, further nurtured her passion for storytelling.
Gwetai has authored several notable works, including Embracing the Cactus, Realities, Petal Thoughts: Yvonne Vera, and The Other Side, each demonstrating her thoughtful engagement with pressing social issues. – Follow on X @MbuleloMpofu
Bongani Ndlovu