ZIBF: Writers challenged to preserve culture, norms

Entertainment Reporter
Writers have been challenged to take centre stage in the preservation of our culture and norms through their works.
Local writer, Colette Mtangadura, bemoaned the state of affairs in our societies where some writers work hard to uphold borrowed cultural practices and lifestyles. She was speaking at the Zimbabwe International Book Fair event held at the Book Café over the weekend.
“Our ancestors were knowledgeable about a lot of things. They were healthy because they ate food like biltong mixed with peanut butter, rupiza and nhopi that could be made with indigenous resources.

“They even brewed beer using matamba, mawuyu, masau and the amarula fruits,” she said.
“Writers are not doing much in helping to pass this knowledge and this leads to importations.

“This knowledge should be recorded and in turn used in local education so that even children know about it from a young age. Writers can also have a task of uplifting the educational sector by researching on challenging subjects like mathematics, physics and by writing books in native languages for better understanding.”

The Goromonzi-based former teacher also challenged publishers to support and motivate the cause as it would only succeed when there is collective effort.
The event also saw other writers like Memory Chirere, Ketina Muringani and Felix Mafume Mtasa taking turns to read and discuss their books while David Mungoshi was the master of ceremonies.