Where to begin? I am writing this from Amsterdam, one of my absolutely favourite places in the world. I am here as a Writer-in-residence - I am researching a book on trade and the art of the Dutch Golden Age which will also feed into my current novel. It sounds all horribly vague, doesn't it, but I am afraid that if I talk on and on about it, I will loose the steam necessary to propel me. But I will write more about Amsterdam, and my residency, in coming days. Before I left Harare, I was busy with the Harare City Library. I currently chair the board that runs the library and its six branches across Harare. We need to find a tonne of money to reroof the place, and for new furnishings and fittings, books, staff etc. We are essentially rebuilding Zimbabwe's biggest library. I love my library: as a kid from a family of modest means, I did not own a lot of books - the Queen Victoria Memorial Library, as it then was, gave me everything I needed. To find out more about the Harare City Library, please see this short piece I wrote for the May issue of The Africa Report. The Africa Report has adopted the Library as one of its campaigns, and I am deeply grateful. If you know any places we can apply for funding, please let me know.
This last week was really great for literature from Zimbabwe. The very talented Elizabeth Tshele who writes as NoViolet "Mkha" Bulawayo has won the Caine Prize for African Writing! She was the first Zimbo to be shortlisted since 2004 when Brian Chikwava won. It always perplexed me that a prize created to discover and expose new talent should consistently overlook the amazing writers I have read from Zim. I was particularly grieved for amabooks and Weaver Press, the two small presses that have kept Zim writing in English alive through our anni horribili: they got a little nod in the introduction to one of the Caine anthologies a few years ago, but a shortlisting for one of their writers would have been a real shot in the arm, but that's prizes for you - they cannot satisfy everyone. So I am really happy that the award has gone to a deserving young writer who, cherry on top, is also a countrymate. Mkha is from Bulawayo, the city of Yvonne Vera whom Mkha has said is a huge influence on her. So I say halala, Mkha! Amhlope, nkazana!
Being in Zim has been frustrating and inspiring in equal measure. But me, I am of a sunny disposition, and will talk only of the good. One of the best things about my sojourn in Zim is the opportunity it has given me to meet other artistes from across the board. I have made many new and wonderful friends, and set the stage for some happy collaborations. I am particularly happy for my friend Raphael Chikukwa, the curator of the National Art Gallery, who took Zim to its very first Venice Biennale! The artists on show were Calvin Dondo, Misheck Masamvu, Berry Bickle and Tapfuma Gutsa. Brilliant, brilliant stuff. In coming months, I hope to do a joint Harare City Library/National Art Gallery project for writers and artists to bring words and images together.
In the meantime, I am writing what I hope will be Zimbabwe's first musical! Yes indeedy. One of my absolute heroes has agreed to direct, one of my new best friends will produce, and an absolute maestro at whose feet I worship will be the musical director. More very soon, I promise.
But first, the novel. Ah, the novel. In the words of the comrades: a luta continua.
(Post-script: that picture, a detail from an untitled work by Malangatana was meant to illustrate an earlier post: I had problems uploading it however, so here it is now, illustrating this post which has absolutely nothing to do with Malangatana. Whom I love. Love and covet. Covet and love. That's all.)