US-based writer to launch book at Book Café

Brenda Phiri Arts Correspondent
United States of America-BASED author Tsitsi Madzongwe will on Friday use the poetic license platform to launch her book “Sun Backed Love” at the Book Café.
The launch that is set to be one with a difference will see some of the best poets, Tendai “Africankid” and Batsirai Chigama taking to the stage and performing some of the poetry.

“The performance is going to be exciting because the work is not limited to entertainment. It aims at engaging the society in different ways. I hope with the words I am able to be an inspiration for transform people socially, culturally and economically,” she said.

Madzongwe who is also a mother of three as well as a patient care technician in Maryland said she did not regard herself a writer until she published her current book. She had however been writing poetry during her spare time only to publish it upon being advised by her colleagues.

“I take inspiration from my grandparents. My grandfather, a school principal and an author as well as grandmother who used to sit us down when we were young, reciting stories by the fire place. From there, I learnt the power of the word in telling one’s own story. As my grandfather used to say, with our tongue and the written word we will prevail; our lips are our own,” she said.
She went further to explain that the book aims to be the bridge between the gap between generations.

“I find meaning in life through my poetry. Because of this I want readers to be touched by my work. It is my wish for the book to have global impact. Customs and tradition remains the same so the young generation has us to educate them on it,” she said.

Madzongwe is also the founder of a nonprofit organisation, Uthando Theatre Production. The company produces ethnic and indigenous works that are in relation to Africa. She also belongs to a number of international writers’ associations where she gets together with fellow poets based in the Diaspora. These organisations are instrumental in mobilising resources that they in turn aid people in Africa.
Her work encompasses issues such as gender imbalance, human rights as well advocacy issues.