BULAWAYO The short list for the 2009 Intwasa Arts koBulawayo Short Story writing competition has been released. The first three winners will be announced at an event during the festival on September 24, at the John Knight Cinema at the National Art Gallery of Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. (Pictured: Award winning author Chris Mlalazi)Award winning author Chris Mlalazi, the Literary Coordinator of the festival, has released an impressive list including Memory Chirere, Farai Mpofu, Violette Kee-Tiu, Melusi Mkandla, Urayayi Msarire, Thamsanqa Ncube, Babusi Nyoni, Mgcini Nyoni, Fungai Tichwangana and Novuyo Tshuma.
Mlalazi said: ‘It will be difficult to pick the final winners, as the quality of writing by all short listed writers is very high.’ He further added that, ‘Zimbabwean literature is the winner. Writers are writing despite everything else and competitions such as these act as motivating incentives. Those gems that have been written and stashed under mattresses, locked in draws are finally let out for the world to see.’
But, as with many literary initiatives in Zimbabwe, women writers are under-represented in the shortlist, raising questions about why women writers lack motivation to participate in competitions/and other literary initiatives.
The Lion Press-Artsinitiates writing competition results will also be announced during Intwasa Arts koBulawayo festival. Such literary competitions have motivated the young talent lying dormant in the towns and cities of Zimbabwe and beyond. With the country on the mend following the Government of National Unity, the publishing industry is expected to pick up.
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