On Reading ‘Teaching My Mother How To Give Birth’ by Warsan Shire
It is a cool crisp Saturday morning in bed. I have a backlog of reading to get through, which is always confusing and daunting to navigate. Which book is worth my time? Which one will make the effort worth it at the end of the last chapter? As I do my routine rounds on Facebook, I notice two friends’ posts about Warsan Shire. One is … Continue reading On Reading ‘Teaching My Mother How To Give Birth’ by Warsan Shire
I Don’t Like Weaves
I don’t like weaves. Don’t like the way 100% human hair – that is not 100% my own – feels as it pulls at my scalp and lashes against my neck. The way you have to flick it out of the way, tie it, clip it, grease it, tong it, shampoo, condition, maintain it so it’s worth every dollar you’ve spent investing in it. Salons … Continue reading I Don’t Like Weaves
Last Night I Gave Myself A Phone Call by Zibusiso Mpofu
Last night I gave myself a phone call I wanted to purge myself Hear my own voice lulling me to sleep Telling me to keep faith and hang my tears to dry ‘’They called me a fag again today’’ I heard myself say My voice hoarse, packed with weariness ‘’They said I’m an idiot for always being on my own’’, My voice breaking now, giving … Continue reading Last Night I Gave Myself A Phone Call by Zibusiso Mpofu
Getting Over The Bullying Years by Ruvimbo Janet Tuwe
We were on a family holiday in the Eastern Highlands in December of 1998 when my father received a call that was redirected from his office in Bulawayo. It was pretty urgent since it was a prestigious school in Bulawayo calling to confirm that I had been accepted to start my Form 2 studies with them at the beginning of the new year. To say that … Continue reading Getting Over The Bullying Years by Ruvimbo Janet Tuwe
Here Is My Body – For The 234 Missing Nigerian Girls
Here is my body, I’m giving it you to weigh on your market scales, to tell me the value of each pound of flesh; each coil and cuticle and cell of hair, skin, bone. You tell me you are making subtractions for my sex my colour my continent, recalculating the weight of my worth as the needle of your measure rotates backwards like a delirious … Continue reading Here Is My Body – For The 234 Missing Nigerian Girls
‘When They Die Young’ by Ethel Irene Kabwato
It’s as if I have held you in my arms In this, your short life, But someone snatched you from me Because I wanted you to see the sun I wanted you to hold the dream And not to chase the wind Like a baton wielding policeman I wanted you to keep the faith And the trust deep in your heart And see your tomorrows … Continue reading ‘When They Die Young’ by Ethel Irene Kabwato
African Feminisms and Grant-Making: In Conversation with Amina Doherty
I had the great privilege this week to meet some powerful women from across Africa, and the world, at a meeting convened by Just Associates (JASS) to discuss among other things, feminist movement building across southern Africa. What I found most refreshing was the openness of the space, and those involved within it. I also had the fortune to finally meet Amina Doherty, who brings a young, … Continue reading African Feminisms and Grant-Making: In Conversation with Amina Doherty
Caine Prize Writing Workshop 2014: Interview with Publisher, Jane Morris
amaBooks holds a lot of significance for me, personally, as the first publisher to accept my work aged 22. Every time Jane Morris (amaBooks co-founder) and I meet, the exchanges are effervescent and full of laughter. Here, I interview her ahead of the currently ongoing Caine Prize for African Writing Workshop. Read an article about the workshop here. Fungai Machirori (FM): How is business in the … Continue reading Caine Prize Writing Workshop 2014: Interview with Publisher, Jane Morris
Caine Prize Workshop 2014: Interview With Writer, Tendai Huchu
As promised, I am posting transcripts of my interviews with Zimbabwean writers and publishers as the Caine Prize for African Writing workshop happens this month in Zimbabwe. Below is an interview I conducted with Tendai Huchu, author of ‘The Hairdresser of Harare’. I reviewed this book a few years ago and you can find the review here. You can find the other interviews that I … Continue reading Caine Prize Workshop 2014: Interview With Writer, Tendai Huchu
