African Writers’ Corner
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An interview with Muthoni Garland
Tujuane
2009-12-23, Issue 463
Tujuane interviews Muthoni Garland, managing director of Storymoja, a Kenya-based company formed with the ‘dream of publishing contemporary East African writing of world-class standard’. Storymoja’s mission, says Garland, is to grow East Africa's reading culture and to improve writing standards.
Is Petina Gappah ashamed of being an African writer?
Chielo Zona Eze
2009-12-17, Issue 462
Petina Gappah isn’t betraying her roots by objecting to ‘being labelled the voice of Zimbabwe’, Chielo Zona Eze writes in this week’s Pambazuka News, she just doesn’t want to be pigeon-holed into the ‘transcendental role of saving the African, by telling his or her story’.
Contradictory identities: An interview with Jennifer Armstrong
Conversations with Writers
2009-12-10, Issue 461
Conversations with Writers speaks to Zimbabwean writer Jennifer Armstrong about the influences on her work, from immigration and identity, to Dambudzo Marechera and philosophical theory.
The wrongs we as man do fellow man
An interview with Ugandan writer Ulysses Chuka Kibuuka
Conversations with Writers
2009-12-04, Issue 460
Conversations with Writers speaks to Ulysses Chuka Kibuuka about religion, writing and the state of publishing in Uganda.
Masimba Musodza: A pioneer in Rastafarian literature
Masimba Musodza
2009-11-26, Issue 459
Zimbabwean wordsmith Masimba Musodza talks to Conversations with Writers about the ‘distinguished honour of being a pioneer in Rastafarian literature’ and persuading his parents that writing ‘is as respectable a profession as the ones they had in mind’ for him.
Lost Ones
Amira Ali
2009-11-10, Issue 457
Lion of hearts turned to desert's dust blown'n t...
Aye Afrika, belonging to all, but yours only
Amira Ali
2009-10-27, Issue 455
She is her, like-in-her poetic rituals mystical diamond that speaks multi-fold'd miracles on earth, she wearing moonstone for slippers gleams like meteoric splendor, affectionate for stars blossoms early in seasons of darkness, Enou...
The hungry wo/man's ode to World Tourism Day
Wangui Kimari
2009-10-08, Issue 451
A relevant and thought-provoking poem that questions the priorities of the Kenyan government in relation to the tourism industry is brought to you by Wangui Kamari in this week's Pambazuka News.
Secrets of the Ethiopian Streets
Homage to social workers
Amira Ali
2009-09-17, Issue 448
She belongs to the corner streets whose whispers never reveal the secrets of the owner, streets guard the shadow of time she maiden-less leaves her son to the streets. A time so deformed, words prostitute themselves, mothers prostitute a child's soul, Thee Word is silent as necessity bends down prostituting itself. Feminine divine Losing her eclipse still night suggesting, copulating a pilgrim of the night, twisting her afro curls accentuated seductive moves chases nightly enchantment, soul killer empty delight. Body traded for the price of kissing her life, reined in the capricious horses of passion she lays destiny down to feel the slivers of pain in dreams and when awake, hidden pain eyes reveal what words conceal. Pitiless life making her stay in a wild desert smelling black dust of body desolated by floods of mortal life she heaps abet in the abyss of the night living no more survivor of fate alone.
Dedicated to Ethiopian-Somalis
2009-09-10, Issue 447
Chased Chased by bullets In fumigated environment Instinctually they run Without a shelter. Not knowing What is ahead In that dark world. My boys Where are you running Without knowing What is ahead? My boys Do not be deceived You can not Outrun the bullets. One of them uttered, I run To grow up somewhere, With the hope To return and pay back With a barrel of a gun. My boys If I take you out From the fumigated environment Which is full of hate and deceit, Would you have a heart To forgive and A mind to forget? One of them uttered, I am that boy Chased by a bullet No doubt. It is a promise not to forget, But to pay them back. Here is my plea to the almighty, To intervene and have mercy, To stop such madness Without divine interference. The cycle continues In the name of nationalities And boundaries.
An interview with Julius Chingono
Poéfrika
2009-09-03, Issue 446
In a concise interview, Poéfrika asks the Zimbabwean poet Julius Chingono about his background and the craft behind poetry.
Trusting foolishly
A short story
Karest Lewela
2009-08-06, Issue 445
‘The other day, as my drowsiness took charge, I heard the nurses whispering. They said how sad it was that I ended up this way. I don’t think it is sad. I think it is sad they think it is sad though. They said I used to be a lawyer – imagine that! Me! A lawyer! I told you I was bright. They mentioned about a generous pardon I had received from the Head of State (HoS). They also said I was very lucky, for I ought to have been sent to the gallows.’
Dreams of my country, dreams of a continent
Mary Kimani
2009-07-30, Issue 444
The highway, tarmac crumbling, potholes yawning, snakes it way between the village and the township. Here by this roadside, I take my rest. In the city, grim with the broken dreams of many hearts, buildings stand, a coat of grey clay dust upon each forlorn facet, the rank air, surfeit with the sweat of struggling millions. There thugs lie in wait for me some want my body others want my soul And I have not double of both. So I sit to pray And in praying Wake. They who led us thus far have absconded, having hurled reason into the river that snaked its way to far away oceans And we have none more to replace it So I sit to cry And in crying Wake. The village- they have torn down, The township gapes, an unfinished hole. Like old clothes with one too many patches, the old ways are discarded, The new ones are long in arriving. I dream long and dream often But visions flee when dawn arrives. I sit to cry And in crying Wake. With each awakening the nightmare lengthens, Do I truly dream or do I live, And can this a living be? Where exists the glorious promise of which I dream? Do I dream or do I die? Thus stranded between village and township, lost between today and tomorrow caught between past and present, called by dreams of glorious promises and tied by a present that ever grows ever more deprived I sit to find and in finding Wake.
Sudan. Sudan.
Chuma Nwokolo
2009-07-22, Issue 443
Chuma Nwokolo invites Pambazuka readers to view his film 'Sudan. Sudan.', which is 'dedicated to one of the most hospitable people in the world'.
The state, prostitutes and teachers: Reading Okello Oculi’s 'Prostitute'
John Otim
2009-07-22, Issue 443
John Otim discusses Okello Oculi’s 1968 work 'Prostitute' – 'a fast-moving early post-colonial piece of writing published by a young Makerere University student' – which he tells Pambazuka News readers makes for impassioned reading.
Alabaster balm of love
Roland Bankole Marke
2009-07-16, Issue 442
Fusion of Tabule, Balangi and Milo Jazz music regenerates accord at Awojoh feast. I muse at crossroads, a communion of ancestral spirits: sharing assorted kola nuts, drinking palm wine from gourd of peace. Titans of unity: Clifford Fyle and John Akar were patriots of mettle, glaring humility, steadfast nationalism, and integrity as selfless love. Homegrown fowl savor fangadama: happy-clutching chicks roaming. Teary-eyed folk embrace each other, tropical breeze hones a melody. Sacrilege of alabaster balm of love: shrapnel pierced nation’s psyche. Compatriots return home; to where their umbilical cords are rooted. Christian or Muslim pray for healing, sharing, caring: God forgives. Church bells toll: abiding gratitude hallows unerring artisan’s craft. Salone is a heartland not wasteland: inspiration ripens genius in me National Anthem unites us; renaissance to love peace blooms like a baobab tree on one foundation. A fallen elephant is taller than grass. Ignorance, curry-peppered fame ruined homeland. Tenacity as mental prowess weather storms: rising motherland blazes into Star of Africa.
Fat Cats
Marion Grammer
2009-07-09, Issue 441
The two fat cats sat reading on the mat. A Persian rug actually, but we won't go into that. The Stock Market's up, they saw. Oh, what fun, As their sleek black coats gleamed in the afternoon sun. 'Lyric, my mate', said cat one with a purr,...
An interview with Rustum Kozain
Poéfrika
2009-07-09, Issue 441
In an interview with Poéfrika, the South African poet Rustum Kozain discusses his prize-winning collection of poems 'This Carting Life', material support for poets and the place of swearing in poetry.
E.C. Osondu wins 10th Caine Prize for African Writing
2009-07-09, Issue 441
Nigeria’s E.C. Osondu has won the 2009 Caine Prize for African Writing, described as Africa’s leading literary award, for ‘Waiting’ from Guernicamag.com, October 2008. The chair of judges, New Statesman Chief Sub-Editor Nana Yaa Mensah, announced E.C. as the winner of the £10,000 prize at a dinner held on Monday 6 July at the Bodleian Library in Oxford. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the prize.
What about the children?
Bev Reeler
2009-07-02, Issue 440
On Friday the Tree of Life team sat with parents from Epworth and Whitecliffe communities and heard about their fears for their children. This time last year when the youth militia rampaged through their neighbourhoods in ‘preparation’ for the el...
An interview with Mary Watson
Mildred Kiconco Barya
2009-07-02, Issue 440
cc caineprize.comWith this year's Caine Prize for African Writing shortlist now announced, Mildred Kiconco Barya interviews Mary Watson, the 2006 winner of the prize. The winner of the 2009 prize will be announced at the Bodleian Library, Oxford, on Monday 6 July.
10th Caine Prize winner to be announced on 6 July
2009-07-02, Issue 440
The winner of the 2009 Caine Prize for African Writing will be announced on Monday 6 July at a celebratory dinner at the Bodleian Library in Oxford. The Caine Prize, widely known as the ‘African Booker’ and regarded as Africa’s leading literary award, celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. The winner of the £10,000 Caine Prize will be given the opportunity of taking up a month’s residence at Georgetown University, Washington, DC, as a ‘Caine Prize/Georgetown University Writer-in-Residence’. The award will cover all travel and living expenses. ...
An interview with Segun Afolabi
Mildred Kiconco Barya
2009-06-25, Issue 439
cc caineprize.comWith this year's Caine Prize for African Writing shortlist now announced, Mildred Kiconco Barya interviews Segun Afolabi, the 2005 winner of the prize. The winner of the 2009 prize will be announced at the Bodleian Library, Oxford, on Monday 6 July.
Cool Papa
Roland Bankole Marke
2009-06-25, Issue 439
Papa, you’re the apple of my eye Clothed me in love like happiness: Worked hard striving to nurture me Papa, I’m honestly so proud of you. I cherish him with child-like passion Oh papa, papa you’re innately cool So awesome, wonderful,...
Poetry for Africa
Kingwa Kamencu
2009-06-25, Issue 439
Poetry is dangerous, Subversive. It’s that so often talked about Double edged sword That cuts both ways. It’s more lethal Than Zuma’s Umshini Wami, More deadly than the now ubiquitous Post election violence panga More than Rwand...
An interview with Binyavanga Wainaina
Mildred Kiconco Barya
2009-06-18, Issue 438
cc caineprize.comWith this year's Caine Prize for African Writing shortlist now announced, Mildred Kiconco Barya interviews Binyavanga Wainaina, the 2002 winner of the prize. The winner of the 2009 prize will be announced at the Bodleian Library, Oxford, on Monday 6 July.
An interview with Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor
Mildred Kiconco Barya
2009-06-18, Issue 438
cc caineprize.comWith this year's Caine Prize for African Writing shortlist now announced, Mildred Kiconco Barya interviews Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor, the 2003 winner of the prize. The winner of the 2009 prize will be announced at the Bodleian Library, Oxford, on Monday 6 July.
An interview with Henrietta Rose-Innes
Mildred Kiconco Barya
2009-06-11, Issue 437
With this year's Caine Prize for African Writing shortlist now announced, Mildred Kiconco Barya interviews Henrietta Rose-Innes, the 2008 winner of the prize. The winner of the 2009 prize will be announced at the Bodleian Library, Oxford, on Monday 6 July.
Africa: Letter from a continent
Marion Grammer
2009-06-11, Issue 437
Born 3,600 million years ago, I am the oldest and most stable land mass on earth. I am so large that the mightiest nation on earth could fit into a desert of mine. My oldest rocks bequeath such wealth, I am well-endowed. Too well-endowed for my...
ITCH e.04 call for submissions
2009-06-11, Issue 437
ITCH Online welcomes contributions from artists and writers to its fourth issue.
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