By Sam Banda Jnr:
The past years the country had big name writers, who competed with other on the international platform but the trend has changed in recent times.
Today, the country has fallen short when it comes to being competitive with West Africa dominating.
It is in this vein that University of Malawi Associate Professor of Literary Studies Wesley Macheso has challenged writers to get their names out there, write well and open up spaces.
“There is need to submit manuscripts that are rich and worth publishing, something unique about this generation and questions have to be asked as to what do we want to contribute to the world?,” Macheso, a renowned writer, said.
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Speaking at the launch of a book titled Rhythms of Thought, Volume One, Contemporary Malawian Writing and Art, which has drew the presence of seasoned and budding writers, Macheso hailed writer William Mpina and Mlembi Press and Private Limited for publishing the anthology.
Bringing together 33 writers and artists from across the country, offering an authentic portrait of modern Malawian life, the collection comprises 88 poems, six short stories, two plays, four artworks and one song.
“I am happy that the work in there is in different languages and this in itself is linguistic revival in literary expression in Malawi by the anthology. People have to express themselves in other languages as well,” Macheso said.
Mpina and compiled the works that include seasoned names such as Benedicto Wokomaatani Malunga, Rhoda Zulu and Nick Tembo, said launching the book and company is part of their seriousness in exposing the works of writers in the country.
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“There are a lot of writers out there, writing good works but are not exposed. So, we are here to give writers a chance to express themselves,” he said.
Mpina said the book publishing looks slim but they have ventured into it with a model that combines traditional and hybrid models.
“Technology is allowing the works to be published and so, we have partnered with African Books Collective to put literary works at a proper place,” he said.
Seasoned writer Ken Lipenga, who recently also had a literary conversation with fellow veteran Alfred Msadala, who this time around also engaged Wokomaatani, described the gathering as important to the arts.
He said during the event Wokomaatani Malunga reminisced on his work with a warm and deep passion.
“Guest of honour Sheikh Wesley Macheso spoke analytically and eloquently about the history of Malawian literature. It crossed my mind that there is a such a thing as 21st century Malawian thought and that the place to find it is in the literature that is emerging now,” Lipenga said.
Some of the contributors served part of their works during the event with other performances coming from among others, Unima lecturer Timwa Lipenga.
