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IGNATIUS MABASA

Writer Ignatius Mabasa is humbled for having been included in the same category with one of Zimbabwe’s great writer Charles Mungoshi. Mabasa’s “Imbwa YeMunhu” and Charles Mungoshi’s “Branching Streams Flow in the Dark” emerged as co-winners of the Outstanding Fiction Book Award.

In a brief interview after receiving the award, Mabasa said being nominated in the same category with Charles Mungoshi for NAMA was something that made him hate the concept of competition.

“How could I compete with Charles Mungoshi – one of my mentors and seniors? I felt I shouldn’t have submitted my work for consideration.

“My winning came as a big surprise. I am still surprised but I also feel I have been validated and given due recognition by Zimbabwe which means I no longer consider myself an underdog in Zimbabwean literature. I can now sit padare nevakuru (dine with the elders) and talk about literature and what needs to be done!” said Mabasa.

Charles Mungoshi needs no introduction in local, regional and international literary circles, having so far produced about twelve books, some of them winners of prestigious awards. “Waiting for the Rain” and the classic “Ndiko Kupindana Kwemazuva” won the International PEN Award. “The Setting Sun and the Rolling World” won the Commonwealth Writers Prize (Africa Region) and was a New York Times Book of the Year. Stories from a Shona Childhood scooped the NOMA Award and is also one of Africa 100 Best Books.

“Waiting Still” which came out in 1997 won the Commonwealth Writers Prize (Africa Region).

The recent NAMA Award which the veteran author has earned has come with revived hope that the book could actually become a school set text.

The author’s son Farayi Mungoshi, who represented him at the NAMA Awards, told WIN that it is encouraging that the book has gained local recognition before the publisher has even started looking for a wider market beyond the borders of our country.

“It has given confidence to the family (who published the book under their family stable called Mungoshi Press). It is the first book we have published on our own with the support from outside and it is performing very well,” said Farayi.

Still with the 2014 NAMA Awards literary category, the Outstanding First Creative Published Work award was won by Solomon Mwapangidza for his debut book “Rebel Soldier”. “Rebel Soldier”  was published by AuthorHouse (UK) and is currently available online on Amazon.com as well as directly from the publisher.

Fortune Tazvivinga grabbed the Outstanding Children’s Book award for her book “The River God Unyaminyami”.

NoViolet Bulawayo’s debut “We Need New Names” which has received wider appreciation earned Special Mention in the Literary Awards category. – WIN Zimbabwe.