Zim’s novel ‘Eriza’ for British Book Fair

Sh’anesu Gutsa United Kingdom Correspondent

United Kingdom-based Zimbabwean author Peter Molife’s novel entitled ‘Eriza’ is set to be exhibited at the British Book Fair this weekend in London, United Kingdom.

Dubbed the ninth annual CurlyTreats Festival, the fair is gearing up to be a vibrant celebration of Black History Month and Black culture, uniting people from diverse backgrounds through creativity, community, and food, including hair enthusiasts, book lovers and allies of the Black British community.

According to the organisers of the event, the book will feature as part of a panel discussion, “Voices Unheard — Amplifying Our Stories,” where Molife’s daughter Dr. Rhoda Molife, will be speaking about “Eriza” on his behalf.

Black British Book Fair (BBBF) organiser, founder of Book and Kulture

Vanessa La Rose said they specially chose “Eriza” to be featured at the festival as a compelling narrative of migration.

“We are delighted to have Rhoda Molife speaking on behalf of her father,” she said. “Eriza is a story that relates to so many who leave their homelands, with the hopes of making a difference and improving the lives and conditions of their loved ones. We need to champion more independent self-published authors so that we hear our stories. We are proud to be able to do this at the Black British Book Fair.”

Hailing from Msengezi, Molife released his debut novel Eriza in 2020 at the age of 69, proving that pursuing new passions knows no time constraints.

Reflecting on the inspiration behind his book, Molife fondly recalls his childhood memories of Zimbabwean women venturing abroad for nursing, a move that significantly improved their families’ lives.

Back in the 1960s when nursing was still seen as a female-only profession, the migration of Zimbabwean women through nursing inspired men to also pursue that profession.

“In addition to that, I was inspired to write this book because women became more involved in the political liberation of Zimbabwe through their professional achievements and wanting to go back to Zimbabwe to help their fellow people, and they had to be political agitators,” said Molife.

He is currently working on his second novel.

Creative talent evidently runs in the Molife family, as Rhoda has also edited two other books hand picked to feature at the BBBF; in addition, the book cover was designed by Peter’s grand-nephew. Hosting the main stage at the book fair will be Zainab Kwaw-Swanzy, author of “A Quick Ting On The Black Girl Afro,” which celebrates Black women’s natural hair.

Rhoda also added that she is expecting to highlight why it’s important to hear the breadth and depth of the stories of Black cultures all around the world.

“At Conscious Dreams Publishing, we are passionate about providing a platform for strong and powerful under-represented voices that have important stories that need to be preserved . . . In Eriza, Peter reflects on the rapidly changing political and social climate of 1960s Rhodesia vividly, whilst also drawing contrasts between 1960s UK and Eriza’s rural village, Chena,” she said.