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ZIMBABWEAN author Nathaniel Mpofu has been nominated in two categories at the second edition of the African Authors Recognition Awards (AARA), earning recognition for his poetry and children’s literature.
Mpofu has been shortlisted in the poetry category for The Trial of Eze and Ezi and in the children’s literature category for Avril, and the Opinionated Origami, the third instalment in his award-winning children’s book series, Inkless Quills.
The nominations mark a significant milestone in his literary journey, coming more than a decade after the publication of his debut book, The Parallel World.
Founded in 2025 by Namibia’s Victoria Haihambo and Zimbabwe’s Marcia Chavunduka, AARA is a continental literary initiative dedicated to recognising and promoting African authors, storytellers, publishers, literary organisations and other contributors to literature across Africa and the diaspora.
Reflecting on his double nomination, Mpofu said the recognition had come as a surprise, leaving him both humbled and encouraged to continue developing his craft.
“Being shortlisted twice for the African Authors Recognition Awards came as almost a surprise to me. I’d initially seen the poetry shortlist email one night, then the children’s literature shortlist the next morning. I was humbled, and troubled, in a good way,” he said.
For Mpofu, the nominations represent more than recognition, serving as a reminder of how far he has travelled as a writer and the growth of his body of work.
“It’s a nudge to keep going. That someday my breath will make sense. A testimonial moment.
“More than anything, the shortlist represents growth to me. Growth of my work and career.
It’s now a little over ten years since my first book publication, The Parallel Worl and the two shortlisted books are my most recent,” he said.
He also expressed appreciation for being shortlisted alongside writers from other African countries, describing the experience as an honour.
The Trial of Eze and Ezi explores a relationship’s breakdown, tracing its journey from promising beginnings to a painful ending. Mpofu presents the story as both an intimate examination of love and a courtroom-style trial in which the two protagonists take turns serving as judge, jury and executioner.
The anthology examines how relationships that once appeared destined to last can deteriorate, leaving former soulmates as strangers. Through the couple’s experiences, the author explores the complexities of love, heartbreak and the fragility of human connections.
In children’s literature, Avril, and the Opinionated Origami follows an extraordinary schoolgirl at Enyandeni Primary School in rural Matabeleland South.
Avril is an unconventional young heroine who solves Rubik’s cubes by dismantling and rearranging their colours. She also has a secret origami pet bird that feeds on book pages and remembers their words.
Her greatest gift, however, is her understanding of Ether, a mysterious power that brings her close to creation’s magic. When an evil traveller threatens everything she loves, Avril must draw on her extraordinary abilities to confront the danger.
The book continues the imaginative world of Inkless Quills, a series through which Mpofu blends fantasy, adventure and the ingenuity of a young African protagonist.
With the two nominations, Mpofu’s latest works have earned recognition across distinct literary categories, highlighting his range as a writer and his continued contribution to Zimbabwean literature.
