Malawi Writers Union (Mawu) annual short story competition which has been running since 2008, has not taken place for five years now and it will not be held this year.
The competition, supported by First Capital Bank (FCB) formerly First Merchant Bank, has helped in unearthing talent and motivated writers to write.
FCB Head of Marketing and Communication Twikale Chirwa said Wednesday they do not have a budget for the competition this year.
“We have been waiting for them to bring us a proposal which they gave us late and, so, we do not have a budget for now but we are committed to supporting this competition and we will do it next year,” Chirwa said.
Mawu President Chikumbutso Ndaferankhande admitted Wednesday that they submitted their proposal late.
“We would have loved to have the competition this year in December but we delayed in giving FCB the proposal. We understand their situation that there is no budget for now but we look forward to their support next year as they have indicated,” Ndaferankhande said.
He said they were hopeful that their proposal will pass the test so that they start preparations for the event in good time next year.
“We are trying to change it to having it in June, a departure from December, and if FCB can give us the greenlight, then we can launch it by March next year,” Ndaferankhande said.
The Mawu leader hailed FCB for being their partner for over 10 years and called upon other players to come in and support the writers’ body.
“We would love to have more projects on our radar in our quest to propel writing in the country but we are failing to implement them due to funding,” he said.
