BWAZ Young Readers Review, Issue No 2

PROFILE: BARBRA ANDERSON

Reform
By Barbra Anderson

Thud and thump! Her body falls on the floor
She lies there
Beaten, bruised
Battered and sore
The beastly brute stands above her
Satisfied

Blood scarlet spurts out
As she laughs hysterically
Recalling “reform” she has heard of
He stands unaware of the fate
That awaits him behind steel bars



INTERVIEW

When the “Power in the Voice” programme done by the British Council last year involved her school Hatfield High, Barbra Anderson was dithering about taking part. Then she made up her mind and wrote a story for presentation. It was her first time to view herself as a storyteller. She was nervous. Although she proceeded to the semi-finals she felt she needed to write much better poems and stories. Having studied Literature at school, Anderson already knew how to criticise literary texts and she began developing her writing skills with the help of teachers and friends.

It was through a friend in the PIV programme that she heard about BWAZ and decided to join. Today Barbra is content with what she has learnt and enjoys the writing functions at which BWAZ constantly ask her to do her poetry.

Born in 1991 in Kadoma, Barbra Anderson did her primary learning at Eastridge Primary School in Hillside; she proceeded to Hatfield Girls High for her secondary education. She then did her Advanced Level at Girls High School (Harare) where she affiliated to a Debate Club.

Barbra says she is interested in themes which deal with young women’s place in society, love as understood or misunderstood by the youths, Africa and its problems, its superstitions and hopes. “But recently I have tackled issues of self-expression. I believe that women are sometimes made to live life in a straitjacket, questing for freedom which patriarchy believes can provide and yet the opposite is true,” she says.

She has participated in events such as Magamba, Poetry Slum and Sistaz Open Mic sessions run by Pamberi Trust at the Book Café in Harare.

To other young women Barbra has this to say: “Find yourself. One must have talent. After all, every body was blessed with talent. And then lets make a difference where HIV/AIDS is concerned. I know this is a boring subject to many youths but it is important that we learn to understand it and prevent its spread. On the other hand, AIDS educators should make the subject more acceptable to youths by engaging in imaginative approaches when they facilitate educative AIDS programmes,’ says Barbra.

While she waits to get to university, Barbra spends most of her time in the Harare City Library reading local literature and literature from different countries. “I am taking my time to learn my craft.”
With much encouragement and support Barbra believes she can transcend and do her country much proud.

(name spelling is correct because there are so many Barbara Andersons some who are writers one way or another)

Transition
By Barbra Anderson

Africa from days of war:
Liberation from oppression
Now to days of woe
No liberation from suppression
Leaders befitting Africa
”Where art thou?”

A continent succumbing to pain
Suffering and hate
Rise again
To a new dawn of celebration
“Viva Africa!”

Rise again Africa, my beautiful woman
Take away the pain and once gain
Reclaim your dignity