Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe Zimpapers Entertainment Hub
VETERAN author and literary queen Barbara Clara Makhalisa Nkala has fired a warning shot over Zimbabwe’s fading love affair with books, especially those written in indigenous languages.
Speaking at the Zimbabwe International Book Fair in Bulawayo on Friday, the legendary Ndebele novelist called for a national revival of the reading culture and urged parents to play frontline roles in the battle to save the country’s linguistic heritage.
“There is an urgent need to revive reading culture, especially in indigenous languages, as that is an integral part of national heritage,” said Makhalisa.
Her message was sharp and uncompromising: reading begins at home, and parents need to ditch the toy aisle and head for the bookshelf.
“Parents should encourage their children to read at an early stage. The reading culture begins at the household level,” she said.
Makhalisa, who once served on the Zimbabwe International Book Fair board, revealed that getting people to value books over material things has always been an uphill battle.
“I recall on three occasions encouraging reading culture — it was a struggle,” she said.
“During the Christmas period, parents tend to prioritise buying toys at the expense of books to read.”
To fight the apathy, the literary legend is rolling up her sleeves and getting proactive. She has started reading competitions to help spark excitement in indigenous literature and bring pride back to the mother tongue.
“As part of my efforts is to have reading competitions so that people appreciate their indigenous languages,” she said.
Makhalisa is one of Zimbabwe’s most treasured authors. Her timeless works in Ndebele, including Qilindini, Impilo Yinkinga, and UJojojo kaMantombi, continue to inspire generations. Her groundbreaking novel Umendo, published in the 1970s, remains a staple in Zimbabwean literature.
Now, her latest book Gqubula, written in just three months, is ready to carry that torch forward.
As the battle to preserve culture intensifies, Makhalisa is sounding the alarm — if Zimbabwe loses its languages, it loses its soul.
It all starts with a child, a book, and a quiet corner to read.
