Mbizo Chirasha Amplifies African Voices Through Storytelling

By Dumisani Ndlovu

Gweru - Veteran poet, writer and cultural activist Mbizo Chirasha (pictured with book) has reaffirmed the transformative power of African storytelling through a book launch titled 'Narratives Against Poverty in Africa', an anthology produced under the African Writing Program and designed to confront poverty, inequality and social injustice across the continent.

The event was held in Gweru, at the historic Gweru Memorial Library recently.

The publication brings together diverse African voices whose stories interrogate lived realities while celebrating resilience and cultural identity.

The project positions literature not merely as art, but as a humanitarian and developmental intervention.

Founded in October 2024, the African Writing Program is a three-tier initiative rolled out in phases.

Its flagship component, the African Literary Prize, drew more than a thousand submissions from across the continent.

Writers competed in poetry, prose and essay categories, with entries progressing from a long-list to a shortlist before the grand finale that crowned three overall winners.

All long-listed works were automatically included in the African Book Anthology, forming the backbone of Narratives Against Poverty in Africa.

Beyond competition, the program prioritises mentorship and international exposure. Shortlisted writers are featured in interviews and conversations across global literary and arts platforms, while runners-up undergo intensive thematic training with the Creative Writing for Social Change Virtual School in the United Kingdom under the mentorship of author Andy Pring.

The initiative encompasses the literary prize, the anthology, scholarships, mentorship and both African and global visibility.

Speaking at the launch, Chirasha reflected on his own literary evolution, crediting early access to elder writers for shaping his career.

He traced his roots to the African griot and spoken-word tradition before expanding into poetry, short stories, reviews, narratives, interviews, features, political commentary and reportage.

The program’s mission is partly to nurture diverse genres while centring on African perspectives on social justice.

Guest of Honour at the book launch, Professor Wiseman Magwa, delivered a deeply personal tribute, recalling Chirasha’s early persistence as a young performer seeking space to be heard.

“I was a young man leading the Zimbabwe Writers Union’s team, and he would join us together with the Budding Writers Association of Zimbabwe,” Professor Magwa said

“He would simply ask, ‘Professor, can you allow me just ten minutes to perform before the meeting?’ Sometimes we were very busy, but we would agree," he said.

It was during those brief moments, Magwa said, that Chirasha’s talent became impossible to ignore.

“That is when we discovered the gift in this young man. From there, Sida Barare, Pesi Pesi and I began travelling with him, supporting and nurturing his growth," he said.

He also expressed pride in Chirasha’s journey.

“Once again, congratulations. We are proud, truly proud of your performance," Professor Magwa said.

The book launch carried such weight that he chose it over a high-profile political engagement, Magwa said.

“I took this occasion very seriously. There was a function in Chaplin attended by Ministers and dignitaries, and I was invited.

"But I sent my apologies because I value issues to do with publications," he said.

As Zimbabwe’s representative to the UNESCO, and co-chair of the Global Task Force for the International Decade of Indigenous Languages, Magwa situated the African Writing Program within broader global conversations on language, culture and development.

At the African Literary Prize grand finale, Madagascar’s Miura Akatomola won first prize for the short story 'Under the Silence of Gold'.

Kenya’s Dauphine Anyango claimed second place with the poem 'Lost and Not Found', while Zambia’s Grace Kakuma secured third prize.

Their works, alongside other outstanding entries, form the core of the anthology, now available both in print and online, and set for distribution to writers, institutions and national libraries.

After chronicling Chirasha’s journey, Professor Deke, who also reflected on years of engagement with Chirasha, went a step further openly calling for the poet to be honoured with an honorary professorship in recognition of his immense contribution to literature, education and cultural activism.

An internationally acclaimed performing poet, writer and literary projects specialist, Chirasha’s career spans more than two decades.

Rooted in early experiences of hardship and resilience, he began reading and writing at a young age and later worked manual jobs to fund his education following the death of his father.

Through his creative work, Chirasha has collaborated with writers’ unions, schools, Non-Governmental Organisations, diplomatic missions, media houses and cultural institutions across Africa and Europe.

He is the founder and curator of several community-based initiatives, including the Girl Child Creativity Project, Girl Child Voices Fiesta, Urban Colleges Writers Prize and the Young Writers Caravan, all aimed at empowering marginalised voices and nurturing emerging talent.

He serves as Zimbabwe’s Resident Coordinator for 100 Thousand Poets for Change Global, and has been published in more than 100 journals, magazines and anthologies worldwide.

His editorial credits include Silent Voices: Tribute to Achebe (Nigeria) and Breaking Silence (Ghana), while his poetry collections include Whispering Woes of Ganges and Zambezi (India, 2010) and Good Morning President (UK, 2011).

Chirasha has also held prestigious roles and residencies including Poet-in-Residence for the Iranian Embassy/United Nations Dialogue Among Civilisations Project, Focal Poet for the United Nations Information Centre and official poet at major cultural events across Southern and East Africa.

He has represented Zimbabwe at international platforms including the Göteborg International Book Fair in Sweden, cultural residencies in Egypt and UNESCO projects in Tanzania.

More than a literary figure, Mbizo Chirasha stands as a cultural architect whose work bridges art, advocacy and development.

Speakers at the event said the Narratives Against Poverty in Africa book not only amplifies African voices, but cements storytelling as a force for change, making a compelling case for Chirasha's recognition not just as a poet, but as a scholar of lived African realities.