#african writers

[dreamermelanina]

Bone, Yrsa Daley-Ward

[african-international-magazine]

Brazilian news caster with a traditional facial tattoo, in Africa we call our own similar such traditions primitive, evil and/ or prostitution

https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaCXOgqADTONlOAE4z1m

[aslisjournal]

Before I start I’ll say I have a lot of flaws A couple of fears, And some deep rooted issues But there’s this dream that I have One that I fall asleep to every night One that’s so deeply woven in my heart I don’t care if I’m inadequate 

I don’t care if I’m not enough A life with out my art I lived it, I can’t fathom it It’s like I’m walking around with two weights on top of my heart And that’s not exaggerate I have to reach the life of my dreams By any means Even if I have to fight the earth Cause I’m only here this one time And I probably lived more than half of it So even if the earth decides I’m not enough And raises the standard above the clouds Above my reach Then I’ll go the longest route I’ll build day by day I’ll scavenge for pieces Finding new ways And if along the way I spill it all Fall on my face Even If the earth decides to laugh I’ll start again from scratch The reality is I’m not gonna stop So if we got to go back and forth then so be it It’ll be that way with me until the curtains close And when I die And the earth swallows me whole It will say this one...this one put up a fight I will leave on it a scar or two And when it is asked about it It will tell the story of a girl With too much heart Too much grit Too much love I promise you It will tell the stars and echo into the universe The story of our fight

[unfilteredpointofview]

Are you an African wondering if you should move abroad, but you are not seeing any honest information. Go to my blog I have written 9 reasons why Africans should not think there is greener pastures in countries abroad.

Website: unfilteredpointofview.wordpress.com

[thewrittenchambers]

Welcome to The Written Chambers!

This blog is just an excuse for me to churn out stories that would otherwise never see the light of day and a platform for me to talk about bookish things 24/7 <3

I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

[didierleclair]

[deadassdiaspore]

[afrodytis]

"Woman is a curved line. Curved are the movements of the sun and moon. Curved is the movement of the wooden spoon in the clay pot. Curved is the resting position. Have you noticed that all animals bend over when they sleep? We women , we are a river of superficial and deep curves in every inch of the body. The curves move things in a circle. Man and woman unite in a single curve in the meandering paths. Curved are lips and kisses. Curved is uterus. Egg. Celestial vault. The curves contain all the secrets of the world."

— PAULINA CHIZIANE (b. Manjacaze, Mozambique, on 4 June 1955)

[luzingu]

Ijeoma Umebinyuo, such a powerful poet.

[fuzzyanxiouscat]

Is it too much to ask for a sci-fi story with incredible world building and an impeccable story line but the main characters of different species in love but their love is so frowned upon that being in the same room is uncomfortable but ALSO UNCOMFORTABLE because they are madly IN LOVE FOR SOME REASON!!

Also can it be based in Africa?

Is it...

Is it too much to ask??

[dreamermelanina]

excerpts from My Daddy's Daughter by Noni Selma

[african-international-magazine]

RWANDA EMERGENT OF A GREEN ENVIRONMENT

Rwanda has stood out to be one of the world's most green economy/ society. The country governed by President Paul Kagame continues to advance environmental protection. Some of the country’s green movements that are reducing eco anxiety include;

Every month in Kigali Rwanda🇷🇼, there is a car-free day which promotes physical activity and environmental awareness, employing the social environment to prioritize health while reducing pollution and congestion on the streets.

Considering these challenges posed by climate change, the Rwandan government prioritized a model of economic development that is low-carbon and climate-resilient balancing environmental sustainability with economic growth thereby achieving poverty reduction and social inclusion in its development vision and strategies.

Rwanda’s policy framework for the building and construction sector underscores the benefits of green/ sustainable buildings. The country has since leveraged the development of green buildings in order to promote environmental protection. In the context of Rwanda, green buildings are buildings that promote energy efficiency, water efficiency, promotes indoor environmental quality and makes use of the country's water efficiency and countries industrial productivity.

Looking ahead this year, 2024, Rwanda’s solar energy roadmap envisions a substantial increase in installed solar capacity. The country aims to generate a significant percentage of its total electricity from solar sources, further reducing its carbon footprint. The widespread adoption of solar energy is expected to drive economic growth, create jobs, and enhance energy resilience.

Rwanda has enforced the ban importing plastic bags and second hand clothes in order to reduce pollution. The ban on Second hand clothes is also aimed at promoting the country's textile industry and boosting the economic environment at large.

[aslisjournal]

Declaration of Independence from The Homemade Remedy for the Mildly to Severely Poisoned. Asli Hersi

[shilika-c]

"Love and hate: same-same" : A review of Patchwork by Ellen Banda-Aaku

I have to admit that in my desire to read more fiction written by Zambian writers, I did not anticipate that I would find a novel like Patchwork by Ellen Banda-Aaku. I was looking for a book by Warsan Shire in the Stellenbosch University library when I stumbled across Banda-Aaku’s novel. I had previously come across her name whilst doing research for my honour’s long essay. Although her name came up in my search for critically acclaimed Zambian writers, I did not bother to look up her work. I am grateful for this chance encounter, because it gave me an opportunity to read one of the most engaging novels I have read in a long time. 

Patchwork won the 2011 Penguin Prize for African Writing and was shortlisted for the 2012 Commonwealth Book Prize

Set in Zambia, Patchwork tells the intergenerational story of three women whose lives are affected by the presence of a wealthy and powerful man. The events of this novel occur in two parts; the first in 1978, and the second in what seems to be the early 2000’s. As the title of the novel implies, the story is indeed a Patchwork – weaving together the stories of Pezo, her mother Totela and Grandma Ponga as they navigate love, loss and betrayal. The story is focalized through Pezo or Pumpkin as she is affectionately referred to. Although she is nine years old in the first part of the novel, I was struck by her self-awareness. She is only a child, yet in some instances she perceives the world the way an adult would.

Pumpkin’s father is Joseph Sakavungo and from the prologue of the novel, it is evident that he is the cause of the tensions that exist in the three women’s relationships with each other. Joseph is a serial womanizer, having been married when he fathered Pumpkin with Totela. The severity of Joseph’s womanizing is revealed as the novel progresses, with subtle referrals to it throughout the story. 1978 is an important year for Pumpkin for various reasons. It is the year her mother’s drinking problem implodes and her father takes her to live with him. It is also the year she experiences a loss that pushes her into silence.

Ellen Banda-Aaku

The strength of Banda-Aaku’s writing in Patchwork comes from the deafening silences. She is able to highlight the effects of trauma on the various characters through their adoption of silence as a trauma-response. The silence that characterizes these women’s relationship is juxtaposed by Joseph’s mannerisms. Although his behavior has damning effects on these women’s lives, he is a generous man and a responsible father. At first, Joseph’s Achilles Heel only affects the people around him. However, the consequences of his actions eventually implode on him.

Aside from the intricacies of the three women’s relationships, it is interesting to note how Banda-Aaku uses the events that occur in the backdrop of the novel to critique various issues affecting Zambian society. These issues include; rape, women’s reproductive care and the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Patchwork is a brilliant offering from Ellen Banda-Aaku that tells an insightful story of the consequences of bad behavior, and the importance of personal responsibility. She reminds the reader of how impactful and intense human relationships can be, astutely citing that “love and hate: same-same.”

Buy a copy of the book here

[manifestingtheythem]

All I want to be is vulnerable and it just so happens that I’m naturally a really openly vulnerable person but everything I want to actually say doesn’t come out and it’s just a watered down version of vulnerability I end up sharing with the next person all from fear of sharing too much.

[fiji-water-mr-mood]

Insecure, not the HBO show

I will retire from this conversation. But please be assured, it is not that I do not find charm in your wit, or intrigue in your dispositions. I fear most your discernment. I fear most, my inability to veil the parts of me, you will, at a moment’s notice, find underwhelming.