Or perhaps it takes a few more things…

Deadline: 31 March 2009

For more information visit http://www.oxfam.org.uk/susiesmith 

:: More information

On September 5th I posted an article about the Cover to Cover short story competition. I made the mistake of not uploading the speech by head Judge Ruby Magosvongwe (Above). Needless to say, that made quite a few people upset. I’ve been reminded of this sin of omission enough times and so now I repent and correct the error of my ways:

Speech by Head Judge Ruby Msagosvongwe at the Cover to Cover Short Story Competition Awards Ceremony, 5 September 2008

Let me on behalf of the panel of adjudicators make a few remarks on the 2008 edition of the Cover To Cover short story writing competition.

Let me begin with the conclusion because by the time I come to the end of my beat, you will all have gone to sleep! The conclusion is: All the contestants, their teachers and their schools need to be recommended for generally a very high standard of entries.

We were dealing with short stories and for us in the contest of Zimbabwean literature that is very important for the following reasons: Nearly every, I emphasise EVERY Zimbabwean who has become prominent today started with  short stories or has a short story collection somewhere along the way. Here we go: Dambudzo Marechera’s House of Hunger, Charles Mungoshi’s Coming of the Dry Season, David Mungoshi’s Broken Dream and Other stories, Yvonne Vera’s Why Don’t You Carve Other Animals, Stanley Nyamfukudza’s Aftermaths, Chenjerai Hove’s Matende Mashava…

Indeed we are a short story country!

Even the so called novels from Zimbabwe tend to be merely long-short stories sometimes called novellas. There are various reasons for this and please get in touch with me if you are anxious to know more.

^ Ruby Magosvongwe

Category Grade 6-7 responded well to their questions. “Stuck in the mud” and “Caught in The Storm” allowed the writers to dwell on their real summer mud storms or to go metaphoric and refer to the disabling circumstances that we often get caught up in. Essays on My Hero/Heroine got relatively weaker responses. The writers tended to think that only heroes are politicians and public figures. Sometimes text got lifted from the public sphere and history books.

Category Form One-Two did fairly well to above average. The topic ‘A Little Knowledge Is Dangerous’ tended to attract hilarious and comical stories. The title about the father crossing the fishing line attracted stories with the sense of tragedy. The title about the season that promised a bumper harvest got the least number of responses. Maybe it is because young writers tend to prefer the dramatic and the grotesque.

The Ordinary Level category produced maybe ‘the best quality per unit area,’ to quote one of the adjudicators. The title ‘an embarrassing meeting’ could easily pass as the title of 2008 contest brought together. In these stories, PEOPLE met PEOPLE in the wrong bedrooms! Some supposedly devout Christians bumped into their beloved pastors at the n’anga’s place, consulting like all heathens. The second title about an outgoing that ended in tragically attracted similar stories. The quality of imagination at Ordinary Level showed a certain level of relaxation and probity on the part of the writers.

^ Another member of the panel of judges Memory Chirere, listening attentively to the speech

The Advanced Level category showed maturity, but, unfortunately, a certain level of restraint. These children, I dare say, tend to mellow a little at the dawn of adulthood. ‘We didn’t think she would do it’ attracted very good stories but they tended to be always about women who achieve against all odds. The title on domestic violence made us all want to cry. These children have seen a lot. The beatings, not only of women by men, but also of husbands by wives are so resounding in these stories that you count the blows as you read. And the victims of domestic violence in almost all cases tend to suffer quietly. The title on looking before you jump attracted stories about regret. In these stories, girls become pregnant by the wrong people and boys go to prison.

Overally this was an edition worth remembering, save for a few stories that were lifted from the Arabian Nights and science fiction. We were happy to apprehend these young culprits and got them disqualified. The very extremely good stories, which are many, are reasons for us to gather here today and celebrate!

Let this be a short story night. To our young writers of short stories, one word from the great short story writer, Hemmingway: Easy writing makes hard reading and hard writing makes easy reading.

Thursday 2nd October- yes that was the date. The venue was The Book Café. The crowd was really writer studded: Shimmer Chinodya, Blessing Musariri, Fungai Machirori, Sabina Mutangadura, Rumbi Katedza, Chief K Masimba Biriwasha, Ethel Kabwato, Vivienne Ndlovu, Outspoken and Comrade Fatso were some of the faces I recognised.

I spotted two University of Zimbabwe Arts Faculty lecturers, Memory Chirere and Ruby Magosvongwe (I will keep my promise).

The reason that we were all here drinking free wine and meeting old buddies and fellow artists was the launch of Weaver Press’s two newest books- Laughing Now and Women Writing.

^ Award winning film maker and writer Rumbi Katedza with Weaver Press editor Irene Staunton at the launch on Thursday.

^  “Time up!” Comrade Fatso tells Shimmer Chinodya who read something from “Laughing Now”

Some of the writers who contributed to the two books took part in a short story slam where they read excerpts from the book. Each was given either 60 or 90 seconds in which to introduce the story and then the same amount of time respectively to read a part of it.

Murray McCartney of Weaver Press and Comrade Fatso (who celebrated his birthday with a huge party on Friday) were the slam adjudicators and compères for the evening.

^ Blessing Musariri, whose story “Tichafataona Sleeps” appears in “Women Writing” reacts to a comment from the audience during the slam

Women Writing features stories from:
Pat Brickhill (Senzeni’s Nativity),
Diana Charsley (Death Wish),
Petina Gappah (In the Heart of the Golden Triangle),
Annie Holmes (Delivery),
Rumbi Katedza (Snowflakes in Winter),
Sarah Ladipo Manyika (Mr Wonder),
Wadzanai Mhute (Dream Over. Dream Again),
Blessing Musariri (Tichafataona Sleeps),
Chiedza Musengezi (The Carer),
Sabina Mutangadura (Chemusana),
Gugu Ndlovu (Everything is Nice, Zimbulele),
Vivienne Ndlovu (Bare Bones),
Bryony Rheam (The Big Trip),
Zvisinei Sandi (In Memory of the Nose Brigade) and
Valerie Tagwira (Mainini Grace’s Promise).

^ Vivienne Ndlovu reads from “Women Writing”

^ I think Sabina Mutangadura was asking for more time to read her story here

Laughing Now has contributions from:
Julius Chingono,
Alexandra Fuller,
Shimmer Chinodya (Last Laugh),
Petina Gappah,
Diana Charseley,
Daniel Mandishona,
John Eppel (Ashes),
Rory Kilalea,
Edward Chinhanhu (The Chances and Challenges of Chiadzwa),
Erasmus Chinyani (Land of Starving Millionaires),
Albert Gumbo,
Lawrence Hoba,
Brian Jones and
Bryony Rheam.

(Ok, I know the list above is incomplete, but I kinda misplaced the other information and will add it as soon as I can find it)

^ So much writing talent in one place! I could almost feel the building vibrate. Fungai Machirori, Rumbi Katedza, Chief K Masimba Biriwasha

^ And the winner of the slam was: Sabina Mutangadura!

When next I meet Irene I have a question for her: “When will we see Men Writing?”

:: You can read a great review of Women Writing on Emmanuel Sigauke’s blog,
:: And! Petina Gappah has done an interesting review of Laughing Now on her blog.

Before I say anything, it’s okay Shay, you can scream as loudly as you want. Yes, I know, that’s the same school you went to. Yay! I am really thrilled…

And I am. Fo sho. heh, heh. I’ve been wanting to use those words for some time now. Anyway, to the meat of the matter- in the picture above is Makhosazana Moyo of Regina Mundi pictured earlier on this evening receiving her prize- one of them- after being announced the overall winner of the 2008 Cover to Cover Short Story Writing competition.

Listen, it’s been a long day and I’m a bit sleepy so maybe I should do the rest of this post tomorrow morning, ya? Unfortunately for me I have just been listening to a Tony Robbins CD and his words of inspiration are ringing loudly in my head. “Our lives are shaped in the moments of DECISION!” “Use pain and pleasure and don’t let them use you!” Ok Tony, I DECIDE to bear the PAIN of fatigue, focus on the PLEASURE of writing and finish this post. Happy now?!

Ok, where was I. Makhosazana. Yes, she won the 2008 edition of the competition which is now in it’s third year. She received a whole heap of prizes including hampers, US$300 from the British Council, some Zim dollar cash from The Standard, a year’s tuition fully paid by the World Bank and other goodies.

Makhosazana (14), of Regina Mundi High School in Gweru, was one of the few entrants in the competition to pick the topic; “The season promised a bumper harvest”.

“The old adage ‘You reap what you sow’ constantly lingered in my mind throughout my long agonising preparations for my greatest opportunity to real life. I dug into every relevant book, sat at my computer desk for long hours until I got saturated with data from the Internet, and talked to people who mattered about the subject. Yes, I was ready, ready for the day that would change my life.” reads her story in part.

The second prize went to Sheilah Danda (16) of Girls High School in Harare (Pictured receiving her prize from Group CEO of the Zimbabwe Independent & The Standard, Mr Raphael Khumalo. In the backgound is Rajiv Bendre, Director of the British Council).

Third prize was awarded to Evans Fundira (right) of Mpopoma High School in Bulawayo. Evans was more overtly thrilled than his fellow winners and jumped up and down in excitement when he heard that part of his prize was US$75.

The awards dinner, held at the Meikles Hotel in Harare, which sponsored accommodation for out of town students and their parents, was attended by representatives from the British Council, Stanbic Bank, The World Bank, World Vision, The Standard and Nestlé Zimbabwe- all co-sponsors of the event. Also present were members of the writing fraternity.

Somewhere in the room, Shimmer Chinodya’s infectious baritone laugh thundered away and David Mungoshi was telling another comic tale to a table of attentive guests.

I heard Chirikure Chirikure do a traditional Shona greeting to a bemused young woman while Noel Marerwa spoke to someone about a forthcoming play.

The key note address was given by Dr Pocock who is the Zimbabwean representative of Her Majesty the Queen of England.

Here’s to a new generation of great writers!

The winners 2008 (L to R): Evans Fundira, Sisasenkosi Mandi, Tariro Kudzoyashe Murwira, Do Hwa Kim, ?? (oops), Faith Barara, Gamila Elmaadawy, Sheilah Danda, ?? (oops again) and Mercy Mukanganwa.

Other students who got their stories published in a magazine containing the winning entries were Chido Muchemwa, Shamima Umerji, Hellen Tsitsi Masango, Hope Chikombera, Rodney Mushonga, Onelly Madziro, Zwilakhe Gugulabo Mgutshini, Boitsepo Nyathi, Tanaka Chingonzoh and Ryan Nyahunzvi.

• See also Zimbabwe is short story country for the speech by the head judge Ruby Magosvongwe

Zimbabwe Poets for Human Rights invite you to their monthly poetry forum, this month themed: “Talks, Unity, Democracy”.

The forum will feature poetry recitals and discussions. If you are a poet or writer this is a great place to meet fellow artists of the pen .

Tuesday 26th August 2008, 3pm
US Embassy, Public Affairs Section Auditorium
7th Floor, Goldbridge, Eastgate, Harare

You may contact them on cadetshoes(at)gmail.com for more information.

“The novel STRIFE by Shimmer Chinodya explores the tension between the power of tradition and the forces of modernity. What are the role models for men in today’s society? What do we expect of the good father, husband, citizen, son, …. etc.? What are the tensions that polarise views at this time?”
Speakers: Mr Ezra Chitando, Ms Nokuthula Moyo.
Book Cafe literary discussions continue to provide a platform for literature in Harare, and an opportunity for literary people to meet and exchange news and information.

The discussion is FREE, and all are welcome!  Hope to see you there.

This year the Culture  Fund approved a total of 125 projects. Of particular interest to me were the literary projects that got funding, especially one that is the writing of a biography of late Zimbabwean writer, Yvonne Vera.

This project caught my attention because I love literature and anything or anyone that works to promote Zimbabwean literature gets immediate high priority on my focus list.

A second reason is that this is the frst time I have seen an author in Zimbabwe get funding to produce a work. Big up Culture Fund!

Here is the list of Culture Fund approved projects for 2008

The Culture Fund of Zimbabwe Trust wishes to announce the successful grant recipients for 2008,
and thanks all those who submitted their applications. Only successful applicants will be contacted.

Approved Projects by Province 

1. Bulawayo 21
2. Harare 24
3. Masvingo 10
4. Midlands 7
5. Mash East 8
6. Mash Central 8
7. Mash West 7
8. Manicaland 14
9. Mat South 10
10. Mat North 16

• Total 125

Approved Projects by Sub-Sector 

1. Combined 1
2. Cultural Heritage 27
3. Cultural Industries 19
4. Film Audio Visual & Multimedia 7
5. Fine Arts and Crafts 30
6. Literature & Languages 11
7. Performing Arts 30

Approved Projects by Gender

1. Female 26
2. Male 31
3. Combined 68

Approved Projects by Applicant Type

1. Festivals and Events 18
2. Schools 9
3. Institution/ Associations and Unions 22
4. Ordinary Projects 34
5. Groups 42

LIST OF PROJECTS (AMOUNTS AS AT 23 JUNE 2008)

Combined /Intergrated 

1. AVAC Arts  Harare  (Z$3,900,000,000,000.00)

Cultural Heritage

1. Izibongo Lezangelo/ Family Praises Bulawayo  (Z$11,711,266,666,666.70)
2. Musoro Muchena Skills for Life Mash West  (Z$30,333,333,333,333.30)
3. Mbuya neMuzukuru Harare  (Z$29,900,000,000,000.00)
4. Machiridza Harare  (Z$17,333,333,333,333.30)
5. Marondera Arts & Culture Village Mash East  (Z$8,666,666,666,666.67)
6. Shangani Cultural Village Masvingo  (Z$60,666,666,666,666.70)
7. A Documentation of Ndau Culture in Chipinge & Chimanimani Masvingo  (Z$19,500,000,000,000.00)
8. Ndebele Cultural Village Mat South  (Z$16,293,333,333,333.30)
9. Audio Visual Documentation of Accentric Dances of Manicaland Manicaland  (Z$3,310,666,666,666.67)
10. Model Ndau Cultural Village Manicaland  (Z$7,713,333,333,333.33)
11. Chimanimani Arts Festival Manicaland  (Z$130,000,000,000,000.00)
12. Zimbabwe International Film Festival Bulawayo  (Z$130,000,000,000,000.00)
13. Music Festival-International Music Day Harare  (Z$130,000,000,000,000.00)
14. Prisons Cultural Festival Mash West  (Z$65,000,000,000,000.00)
15. Intwasa Arts Festival Bulawayo  (Z$130,000,000,000,000.00)
16. International Images Film Festival (Women) Harare  (Z$65,000,000,000,000.00)
17. Culture Week Activities Harare  (Z$130,000,000,000,000.00)
18. HIFA Harare  (Z$130,000,000,000,000.00)
19. Africa University- Manica Arts Festival Manicaland  (Z$65,000,000,000,000.00)
20. Hwange Arts Festival Mat North  (Z$65,000,000,000,000.00)
21. Gwanda Arts Festival Mat South  (Z$65,000,000,000,000.00)
22. Great Zimbabwe Arts Festival Masvingo  (Z$65,000,000,000,000.00)
23. Ibumba Festival Bulawayo  (Z$65,000,000,000,000.00)
24. Midlands State University Arts Festival Midlands  (Z$14,473,290,000,000.00)
25. NAMA Harare  (Z$260,000,000,000,000.00)
26. Chitungwiza- Youth Africa Arts Fesival  Harare  (Z$65,000,000,000,000.00)
27. Zimbabwe International Trade Fair Bulawayo  (Z$65,000,000,000,000.00)
    

Cultural Industries 

1. Antonio`s Ngoma and Perkation Instrument manufacturer Mash Central  (Z$8,149,221,137,200.00)
2. Gugu’s Decor Bulawayo  (Z$10,400,000,000,000.00)
3. Amakhosi  Performing Arts workshop Bulawayo  (Z$32,500,000,000,000.00)
4. Manufacturing of Traditional Instruments Bulawayo  (Z$26,000,000,000,000.00)
5. Sizimisele Cultural Group Mat South  (Z$29,900,000,000,000.00)
6. Mazikelela ‘A’ Craft Club Mat South  (Z$5,200,000,000,000.00)
7. Guitar Repairs and Manufacturing Midlands  (Z$35,360,000,000,000.00)
8. TG Craft Midlands  (Z$2,600,000,000,000.00)
9. National Survey on Users of Copyrighted Material Harare  (Z$70,590,000,000,000.00)
10. Zama Mqoqi Mat North  (Z$1,906,666,666,666.67)
11. Sizimisele Mat North  (Z$928,200,000,000.00)
12. Kulisumpula Project Mat North  (Z$2,946,666,666,666.67)
13. Getsmat Mat North  (Z$2,166,666,666,666.67)
14. Thukuthela Makhosikazi Mat North  (Z$1,733,333,333,333.33)
15. Sithokozile Project Mat North  (Z$866,666,666,666.67)
16. Mahufe Amadzitateguru Project Mash East  (Z$69,333,333,333,333.30)
17. Chitsamba Wood Manufacturing Manicaland  (Z$736,666,666,666.67)
18. Traditional Sandals Project Manicaland  (Z$866,666,666,666.67)
19. Pops Manufacturing  Manicaland  (Z$8,666,666,666,666.67)

Film -Audio Visual  & Multi-Media

1. Dilemma Bulawayo  (Z$77,675,000,000,000.00)
2. Act in My Life Bulawayo  (Z$8,346,000,000,000.00)
3. Film and Education Mash West  (Z$32,500,000,000,000.00)
4. Krea8ive Circle Midlands  (Z$53,033,378,580,000.00)
5. Baby Dancing Harare  (Z$33,713,333,333,333.30)
6. Zimbabwefilm.com Harare  (Z$72,423,000,000,000.00)
7. Operation Go Out And Get It Harare  (Z$13,000,000,000,000.00)

Fine Arts and Crafts

1. Guruve Primary Cultural Industries Group Mash Central  (Z$44,200,000,000,000.00)
2. Bulawayo Wood & stone Sculpture Garden Bulawayo  (Z$40,733,333,333,333.30)
3. Chitatarts Bulawayo  (Z$2,874,230,556,946.67)
4. Smart Arts Bulawayo  (Z$26,000,000,000,000.00)
5. Publication of two books of Art Mash West  (Z$39,000,000,000,000.00)
6. House of Stone Sculpture Workshop Mash West  (Z$11,093,333,333,333.30)
7. Gwanza Photo Exhibition Harare  (Z$65,000,000,000,000.00)
8. GRPZ Fashions Mash West  (Z$14,040,000,000,000.00)
9. Arts Antique Market Mat South  (Z$3,466,666,666,666.67)
10. Thathulwazi Craft Mat South  (Z$338,000,000,000.00)
11. Thuthuka Cultural Industries Midlands  (Z$6,066,666,666,666.67)
12. Domboramwari Art Village Harare  (Z$225,333,333,333,333.00)
13. Bohemian Design School Harare  (Z$12,213,760,000,000.00)
14. Seke North Arts & Crafts Centre Harare  (Z$34,666,666,666,666.70)
15. Savanna Batik Harare  (Z$6,500,000,000,000.00)
16. Binga Craft Centre Mat North  (Z$145,600,000,000,000.00)
17. Mpizuke Crafts Mat North  (Z$6,846,666,666,666.67)
18. Bulongo Heritage Mat North  (Z$4,160,000,000,000.00)
19. Khumbulani`s Art & Craft Mat North  (Z$19,153,333,333,333.30)
20. Curio Africa Mash East  (Z$2,166,666,666,666.67)
21. Wadzanai Home Industry Mash East  (Z$7,886,666,666,666.67)
22. Margretha Hugo School for the Blind Masvingo  (Z$10,853,336,000,000.00)
23. Zimbabwe Dambanevana Hotline Masvingo  (Z$5,113,333,333,333.33)
24. Mhofu Creative Crafts Masvingo  (Z$9,620,000,000,000.00)
25. Fine Arts and Crafts Manicaland  (Z$2,426,666,666,666.67)
26. Chipinge District Cultural Unit Manicaland  (Z$17,333,333,333,333.30)
27. Buhera Village Pry School Fine Arts & Craft Club Manicaland  (Z$1,300,000,000,000.00)
28. Electrification Fine Arts and Crafts Manicaland  (Z$10,400,000,000,000.00)
29. Sakubva Craft Club Manicaland  (Z$3,466,666,666,666.67)
30. Painting and  Wire Making Craft Manicaland  (Z$17,333,333,333,333.30)

Literature and Languages

1. Four Plays and Essays on Zimbabwean Theatre Bulawayo  (Z$39,000,000,000,000.00)
2. Yvonne Vera Biography Bulawayo  (Z$16,813,333,333,333.30)
3. aMabooks Equipment Support Bulawayo  (Z$26,000,000,000,000.00)
4. This September Sun Bulawayo  (Z$39,000,000,000,000.00)
5. Amazwi Entuthuko Bulawayo  (Z$39,000,000,000,000.00)
6. Kalanga Language & Cultural  Dvpt Association Mat South  (Z$43,333,333,333,333.30)
7. Tambudzai Trilogy Harare  (Z$19,539,000,000,000.00)
8. Misodzi Yemhandara Harare  (Z$10,833,333,333,333.30)
9. Jump Theatre Harare  (Z$39,000,000,000,000.00)
10. Revival of BaTonga Cultural Dances Mat North  (Z$6,474,000,000,000.00)
11. Rutendo: Chief`s Grand Daughter Mash East  (Z$14,733,333,333,333.30)

Performing Arts

1. Music Recording Mash Central  (Z$1,300,000,000,000.00)
2. Chipadze High School Performing Arts Club Mash Central  (Z$33,020,000,000,000.00)
3. Chipindura Primary School Mash Central  (Z$26,000,000,000,000.00)
4. Bulawayo Theatre Club Bulawayo  (Z$39,000,000,000,000.00)
5. Training of School Children in Theatre Skills Bulawayo  (Z$19,630,000,000,000.00)
6. Music Recording  Mash West  (Z$866,666,666,666.67)
7. Umzingwane Cultural Festival Mat South  (Z$13,000,000,000,000.00)
8. Zwehamba Asihambeni Performing Arts  Mat South  (Z$693,333,333,333.33)
9. Mapane Cultural Drama Club Mat South  (Z$8,666,666,666,666.67)
10. Umbe Pry School Cultural Centre Project Midlands  (Z$2,184,000,000,000.00)
11. Makina Midlands  (Z$2,366,000,000,000.00)
12. St Giles School Marimba Band Harare  (Z$6,586,666,666,666.67)
13. Chikisa Tradtional Dance Group Harare  (Z$572,000,000,000.00)
14. Dhindo Cultural Dance Group Harare  (Z$2,366,000,000,000.00)
15. Music Cross Roads Zimbabwe Harare  (Z$39,000,000,000,000.00)
16. Matabeleland North Arts Forum Mat North  (Z$8,753,333,333,333.33)
17. Saul Stagers Mat North  (Z$20,193,333,333,333.30)
18. Ukulondoloza Amasiko Esintu Mat North  (Z$13,866,666,666,666.70)
19. Lusumbami Puppetry Team Mat North  (Z$19,500,000,000,000.00)
20. Wekare Masvingo  (Z$3,033,333,333,333.33)
21. GYPCE Masvingo  (Z$7,800,000,000,000.00)
22. The Day of the African Child Manicaland  (Z$17,333,333,333,333.30)
23. Mabvazuva Mbira Cultural Organization Mash East  (Z$400,000,000,000.00)
24. Murewa Culture Centre Mash East  (Z$100,000,000,000.00)
25. Paradzai Mash East  (Z$200,000,000,000.00)
26. Machumi Perfoming Arts Mash Central  (Z$428,000,000,000.00)
27. Toenderera Boys Mash Central  (Z$55,000,000,000.00)
28. Chidzere Mbira Group Mash Central  (Z$6,000,000,000.00)
29. Chiremba Dance Group Masvingo  (Z$50,000,000,000.00)
30. Rumwando Cultural Theatre and Dance Masvingo  (Z$75,000,000,000.00)

• Total   Z$3,826,301,016,274,150.00

A total of USD50,000.00 has been set aside for Performing Arts musical instruments.

:: Visit www.culturefund.org.zw to find out more about the Culture Fund.

The British Council in partnership with Budding Writers Association of Zimbabwe (BWAZ) have launched a writing and theatre performance competition which is open to 15 to 25 year olds resident in Zimbabwe.

Here’s the advertorial for the competition:

The British Council in partnership with Budding Writers Association of Zimbabwe Trust is pleased to announce a project that seeks “to empower young people, develop and showcase creative skills, encourage a dynamic exchange of ideas and experience, explore contemporary issues, challenge assumptions and promote intercultural understanding” through writing and performance contests.

The competitions, involving both written and performance aspects will be run monthly follows:

August, September, October: Writing
November, December, January: Performance
February, March, April: Writing
May, June, July: Performance

Competition Rules & Conditions for August 2008

1. The competition is open to all registered BWAZ members aged between 15-25 years.
2. Entries can be in either Ndebele, Shona or English and must focus on the theme climate change (Kushanduka kwemamiriro ekunze/ Uku kwemumo womukati).
3. Entries must be fresh, original and not previously published.
4. Only one entry per person, with the participant’s full name, age, school or home address and a contact number all given on the cover page. The them must also be indicated on this page.
5. Entries must reach us by the end of the third week of August.
6. Please note that the competition entries cannot be returned under any circumstances. Make sure that you send COPIES only.
7. We reserve the right not to consider late entries or entries submitted by unregistered entrants.
8. Winning entries may be published.
9. The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
10. The list of winners will be published in the press, BWAZ and British Council websites.
11. Cash prizes and book hampers to be won.
12. After every quarter, participants will be accorded an opportunity to attend mentoring sessions conducted by the competition judges on specific genres.

Submission Details

Entries can be hand delivered, posted or emailed to the following addresses:

Hand deliveries:
BWAZ National Office, 4th Floor Century House West, Corner Nelson Mandela/ Julius Nyerere, Harare
Or
Mr Christopher Mlalazi, Bulawayo Art Gallery
Or
BWAZ Chairpersons & Patrons in all areas and schools, all Provincial National Arts Council Offices.

Postal delivery:
The Director, BWAZ, Box HR259, Harare

Email:
bwaz@mweb.co.zw

Membership to BWAZ is open to all residents of Zimbabwe upon payment of a joining fee and yearly subscriptions. Please call 04- 771621, Email bwaz@mweb.co.zw for details.

The British Council is the United Kingdom’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations.