Unveiling the voice of Zimbabwe in literature: Kud...

Unveiling the voice of Zimbabwe in literature: Kudzai Mhangwa's Journey

Audrey Galawu

Kudzai Mhangwa is a social entrepreneur and an author and does both with a passion.

Kudzai has been writing since he was six, but he never thought he would actually have a book of his own published.

He always wanted to have a book of his own, but at times felt like he was late to the party but at least he knew that he wanted his first publication to be a collection of short stories and his dream has come true.

He has his own published book of short stories titled Moments in the Private Room.

The book is described an exploration of Zimbabwean society moving through time and circumstances with each story articulating something that most people have gone through and felt at some point in life.

From the comfort of friendships, the thrilling of vexation of chasing a dream to the burden of expectations.

“Well, it’s a collection of thirteen short stories spanning different times in Zimbabwe. Most of them have women at the centre and I try to highlight the messiness and ultimate beauty of human existence. The stories cover love (of course), hope, integrity and the big questions we have in life.

“The only change is that I’ve evolved from my initial writing. I now write in various forms and continue to grow my craft hopefully to mastery. It's a bit of a Sisyphean quest,” he says.

Kudzai says it has been a tough experience from getting ignored by publishers and sometimes doubting yourself if all the hard work is worth the sweat.

“In 2021, I decided that I was going to put a book together and finally get published. With a number early mornings and late nights, I compiled my first collection of short stories.

“In 2022 I began the task of submitting this little book to publishers and of course most of them said no and others never even bothered to reply me. Then one fateful October day, as divine guidance would have it, I attended a book festival and heard about this boutique publisher based in Wales called Canelian Heart Publishing Ltd who were looking for authors.

“I sent them an email and the back and forth went on for two weeks until I finally got a yes.

Kudzai says he had to take in a lot of criticism, which anyone who wants to be successful in their practice has to endure.

“Besides people not replying to me? Definitely, publishers and agents not reply to queries, rejection letters and the relatively small publishing industry we have in Zimbabwe.

“You really have to dig deep to get what you want. You have to open yourself up to feedback and criticism because both are good agents for positive change if you allow them to be your teachers.

“The importance of collaboration and trusting the people you work with. I learned that after I got the book deal and had to trust my publisher (Carnelian Heart Publishing) that they had the best of intentions for me and we were on the same team," he added.

The book is now available on Amazon.

Besides writing, Kudzai is a social entrepreneur, he makes reusable pads for underprivileged women and girls and train communities how to make the pads under his Flower’s Touch initiative.

The initiative was founded it in 2020 during the lockdown after hearing a radio broadcast of girls struggling to access proper sanitary wear during their periods.

“I was moved and decided the talk I've been giving myself of wanting to make a difference has to start now or never. I made my first batch of reusable pads and distributed to girls in rural areas.

“Since then, I’ve made and distributed over 600 pads to women in prisons and low-income households. With the help of my partner organisation, I've also taught over 100 people how to make reusable pads,” Kudzai explained.