Dangarembga urges budding writers to keep writing
Zimbabwean author and filmmaker, Tsitsi Dangarembga has called on budding writers in the country to keep writing and never give up if they were to succeed in the writing industry.
Dangarembga said this on Sunday at Madsoc Theatre in Lilongwe on the last day of the two-day Feminart Arts and Book Festival.
Famed for her novel, Nervous Conditions the author, who was the guest writer, said it takes a while to succeed in writing.
“Don’t give up; that is the most important thing, you may find it tough and it is painful but keep writing, Dangarembga said.
The writer whose Nervous Condition was named one of the top 100 books that have changed the world, described writing for her as a way of expressing herself and that currently she was working on a book for young adults.
Dangarembga, who also gave a key note address on the opening day on ‘Feminist survival in conservative society’, described the Feminart Arts and Book Festival which opened on Saturday at Crossroads Hotel as a perfect platform for among others, networking.
“It has been an experience being part of the first Feminart. The audience has been massive,” Dangarembga said.
South African journalist and novelist, Zukiswa Wanner, who is based in Kenya, and was also part of the international guest writers, said writers have to read a lot in order to be better.
“They [writers] need to read widely and that makes you be able to know what makes a good book. Writers also have to engage with other writers,” Wanner said.
She said she was glad that Southern Africa had another Feminart Festival apart from Abanthu.
The organisers of the festival – The Story Club Malawi, showed their seriousness with the inaugural event when they produced a magazine detailing the activities and was distributed during the festival.
According to the organisers, Feminart, was simply art for feminism and that the festival seeks to celebrate feminity, promote feminism, and discuss gender issues through art and book talks.
The Story Club Board Chairperson, Zilanie Gondwe, said during closure of the festival that Feminart was a space for women to share experiences, talent as well as inform and entertain.
“Feminart is all about discussions, stories to share without hiding anything. We had deep positive conservations and dialogue on issues of feminism and gender equality,” Shadreck Chikoti, who is Story Club founder said.
He however, bemoaned lack of sponsorship saying this year it was supported by his wife and that they were hopeful that next year they will get support.
Over the two days, the festival featured acts such as The Daughters Band, George Kalukusha, Lily Banda and poetry which came from the likes of Phindu Banda, Ednes Kenamu and Chris Msosa.
The audience also watched Chitenje Changa monologues.
During the festival, there were also reading marathon, children’s reading and writing, art exhibition, book sale and film screening.
