“POWER IN HER VOICE”
Fifteen year old Nicola Grace (pictured above) from Bulawayo, performing her poem in the December 2008 BC-BWAZ Spoken Word Contest at Ranche House College, Harare
INTERVIEW
Below is an interview with one of our members, 16 year old Lisben Chigwenjere (Picture not available as yet), currently in Form 4 at Herentals College, Kuwadzana 6, Harare. Lisben Chigwenjere is also former student at Rakodzi High School in Marondera where he was key member of the writers club.
When did you start writing?
I started when I was 10 and I was in Grade Five at Kuwadzana 8 Primary School in Harare. By then, I only wrote poems. My first poems were Nherera Munhu, Unity and Love which was a reflection of my cousin brother’s love for a girl called Hazvinei.
Who inspired you?
I was inspired by both my dad and my cousin brother. My dad had a play script which he kept. I used to read the script and said to myself, “I’m going to be like my dad” – though he was not willing to publish it. My cousin brother inspired me by lying that he wrote two films which he never showed to me. But still I had seen his short story which was so beautiful and used very good English language in his descriptions. These inspirations came at the same time and I even endeavoured writing a film which I titled ‘Happy Ending’. I was still in Grade Five.
What is your vision as a writer?
My vision as a writer is to become established and that my work be recognised locally and internationally as one of the best pieces to ever grace earth. I am very optimistic about my work though sometimes my twin brother says it’s too much. But one thing is for sure! Every artist began by dreaming and in the end dreams came true. Even Martin Luther King Jnr had a dream also.
Does your twin brother Liberty write as well?
Yes, he does. He writes poetry. He is also a member of BWAZ.
Lisben, how has BWAZ helped you?
BWAZ has helped me in everything that concerns writing. I now participate in writing competitions and meet established writers who mentor and motivate us. I won two prizes in the British Council-BWAZ writing competition about climate change in different months. In August 2008 I won second prize and in September 2008 I won first prize. The prizes were cash and books. I was happy. I have also won an audio CD at the Book Café in March this year (2009). The CD is by Sara Dee and Sisters, a group from Bulawayo.
The End of Rainy Day
The sky is blue
The clouds are all scattered
It’s been rainy day
The plants are drunk
With this obviously acidified rain
On the other side the clouds have reddened
Reflecting sunset
And the moon is hidden beyond
The blue sky is no more
The light and dark grey clouds have hidden it
The moon is out
A beautiful shiny clear white
The moon
Put a little smile on my face
Yet soon, the dark cloud hovers around what
Not so long ago was a beautiful sky
By Liberty Chigwenjere
Marvellous
Little angels
Little babies
Little children
Leaping and running
Smiling and laughing
A marvellous sight
God’s marvellous work!
By Liberty Chigwenjere
Dawn Has Come
I walked in the dark night
Leaning on walls and never sitting on the lawn
The cold weather froze my body
But still I dug the mountain down to its floor
It was dead dark
I saw not a single thing
Everything was invisible
I only could hear the birds’ songs far beyond
But now I have reached my destination
The prize I hold
The darkness was but a thing passing
By Lisben Chigwenjere
So Help Me God
I am barefoot on a journey of life
On thorn-studded paths
Stuck here since I was five
Lonely I am
In this drain
I can hear mice squeaking
My heart wishes for rescue
I know I have a bright future
That’s your plan dear Lord
So …so help me God
By Lisben Chigwenjere
LETS WRITE!
