Malawi Writers Union (Mawu) said Wednesday they are waiting to hear from First Capital Bank (FCB) for progress of the annual short story competition which has not taken place for close to six years now.
The competition, supported by FCB Bank formerly First Merchant Bank, has helped in unearthing talent and motivated writers to write over the years.
Mawu President Chikumbutso Ndaferankhande said having been told by the bank that they had sent their proposal late last year, they sent another fresh proposal in December targeting three years amounting to K30 million.
“FCB Bank has been a friend of Mawu since 2008 when this competition came into effect. Writers have been partaking in the competition since 2008 and then we took a break due to Covid. We pitched our K30 million proposal for three years with K10 million annually but we are yet to get feedback,” Ndaferankhande said.
He said having not held it for years, they were hoping that they would return this year but were still in the dark.
“We are not sure whether we will hold it this year. On our part we have tried but the ball is now in FCB Bank’s court. Literature is very important; it is a vehicle to inculcate our values, reading culture and propel education, we need support just like other disciplines like sports,” the Mawu leader.
He said there was need for the corporate world and other players to open up and support other disciplines.
“We want to grow our writing field and be at par with the international stage. We have potential but lack of support and proper instruments continues to frustrate us,” Ndaferankhande said.
FCB Head of Marketing and Communication Twikale Chirwa said the issue was on their agenda.
“We are looking into the issue but it is on our agenda and once everything is finalised, we will reach out to Mawu leadership. We are committed to supporting this competition. Last year we could not work on their proposal because they brought it late,” Chirwa said.
Meanwhile, Ndaferankhande has hinted that he will not seek re-election during an elective Annual General Meeting (AGM) which is expected to be held later this year.
“An elective AGM is on and we are targeting July, latest August. Of course, the current office bearers’ term should end in November this year but we won’t wait that far.
“I will not contest for presidency and this is because of work and academic commitments. I am doing a double major in Education and Creative Writing at Rhodes University in South Africa. I need to concentrate on my studies,” Ndaferankhande said.
