Zimpapers Logo

Elliot Ziwira-At the Bookstore

There was a time when reading anything printed was the in-thing, and eloquently sharing such experiences as depicted in the written word would evoke awe, for those known to have “eaten book” were gods. 

Books, newspapers and magazines would be shared until they were reduced to dog ears, or were in shreds. 

Curiously, however, the culture of reading appears to be heading north, which is reflected in the creative morass pervading interactive spheres. Unlike in the world of yore, writers appear to have lost the ability to engrave the realities of life, and thrillingly chant and charm to readers’ glee.

Not to be left out in the race for poverty of expression, journalists have also lost their sizzling appeal. They just randomly hit all trees in sight, expecting to fell one of them to acclaim.

A look around reveals that most people “would rather chop wood”, in the fashion of Charles X, who succeeded his brother Louis XVIII as the King of France in 1824, than read. To them, reading is as cumbersome as it is futile.

If it were not for obligatory examinations that come with Western forms of education fed on the world, they would choose a book-free existence. 

The lack of depth, exhibition of ignorance, and glorification of emptiness clothed in “influencer” rags on social media platforms leave one wondering where we are headed as a people.

Probably, Joseph Brodsky could be right when he says, “There are worse crimes than burning books. One of them is not reading them.”

There is a reason why people should read, not only that it is a worse crime to avoid books than setting them ablaze, but it is enriching both to the self and humanity, too.

The danger of not reading is that no new books will be written, for good writers are invariably great readers.

True, as gifted individuals, writers can perform exceptional deeds with words, not from knowledge or expertise per se, but from some kind of divine inspiration. 

Nonetheless, inspiration alone cannot cut it. Writers, or aspirant authors must read widely, lest they become a huge put-off to their supposed readers.

In Judy Blume’s view, “it’s not just the books under fire now”, which is worrisome, but “the books that will never be written. The books that will never be read.”

There is an inspiring story in all of us; a great story with the capacity to change outcomes for the greater good of mankind. However, it serves no purpose if it remains hidden in layer after layer of the blissful ignorance that comes with closure to new information.

Indeed, no worse crime beats non-committal to the availability of books to humanity, for, as Vera Nazarian intimates; “whenever you read a good book, somewhere in the world a door opens to allow in more light.”

Reading is as enlightening as it is therapeutic, exalting and satiating, since, after all, a good book says enough about us to know who we are.

No better way of self-empowerment beats encouraging oneself, one’s children, and fellow countrymen to read. And, there is no better way of making others read than writing a good book and reading it to them.

We should all find inspiration in Maya Angelou, who once said: “Any book that helps a child to form a habit of reading, to make reading one of his deep and continuing needs, is good for him.”

Nevertheless, when it comes to instilling reading habits and doing justice to books, questions always abound.

How do children form habits that encourage reading? 

Who informs them on what to read? Are libraries doing enough to encourage informed reading through the books they stock and outreach programmes offered?

Are the books available to our children doing justice to their hunger to learn about themselves and the world at large? If the reader is too hard done to read, and the writer too demoralised to write, what will become of our society?

Many are the questions that weigh a people down in its quest to harness the reading culture, which somehow refuses to be reined in, especially in the wake of technological advancements, offering other outlets for entertainment.

It is a fact that books are now competing with other channels that readily give vents of escape to many a burdened heart. But are they rich enough to shape individual aspirations, especially those residing in young people?

The Harare City Library has to be commended for hosting book commemorations in the past, which would see pupils from primary and secondary schools across the capital converging to share experiences regardless of background.

They would engage writers to afford the young minds opportunities to mix and mingle with luminaries in the literary world. Authors such as Virginia Phiri of the “Highway Queen” and “Desperate” fame, and Edwin Msipa, the headmaster-poet, graced one such occasion in 2016.

Memory Chirere, also celebrated his National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA) 2023 Outstanding Poetry Book Award by reading extracts from the winning book, “Shamhu yeZera Renyu”, in Harare last month.

The event was attended by writers like Fatima Kara, Batsirai Chigama, Rumbidzai Vazhure, Osman Mbindi, and Tinashe and Tafadzwa Ndoro.

Chirere has held reading events in the past as a way of taking his works to the people who matter to him—readers.

Starting from September last year, musician and author, Hope Masike, toured Zimbabwe, reading her poetry, in addition to autographing her books and showcasing her mbira music.

Masike was celebrating her published poetry anthologies: “Ask Me Again” (2020), “Dzevabvazera” (2022), and “Die with Me” (2023).

It is through such tours and reading engagements that young people are encouraged to keep tight with the book; for there is no other way to self-enrichment than the way of the book. They allow for the realisation of literature as a lived experience capable of bringing the past, present and future to a cirque for the good of humanity.

Young audiences are given a chance to interact with their heroes from the fictional world, as human follies and vices are humorously explored in real-time.

Notably, children are a critical constituency in the revival of reading culture and birthing of new books buried in tenderness.

Edwin Msipa, who joined the Harare City Library in a two-day commemoration of the book in 2016, is the headmaster of Tariro School, and has worked with children for many years. 

Porta Farm School Drama Club performed his debut play at the Zimbabwe International Book Fair (ZIBF) in 1999, which heralded his arrival on the literary landscape.

His first book, “Gadziriro Yemazamanishoni”, was published in 2013.

For the love of books and children, Msipa played a crucial part in the establishment of Porta Farm Secondary School in 1998, and Tariro primary and secondary schools in Hopley (2010), along with other stakeholders.

He has published a three-book series for children: “Takunda neMadzuramoyo”, “Takunda neMagororo”, and “Takunda neMagevha”.

Msipa’s poems featured in “Silent Drums” (2013) edited by Nqobile Malinga and Rodwin Msipa”, (2014), “Black Stars: Sons and Daughters” (2014), compiled by Lloyd Machacha, “Dzinonyandura: Svinga reNduri” (2014) and “Tsuro Ndisunge”.

His poetry lashes out at the morbidity reflected on the national psyche, which is detrimental to the family unit. Corruption, greed, materialism, individualism, and the search for solutions in carnality, are suet to his poetic knife.

He explores how use of masculinity at every turn jeopardises the family, community and nation. The poet calls on men to exercise responsibility and restraint in decision making; and refrain from using macho power to intimidate women, or forefront material possessions to hoodwink them into abusive relationships. 

In the poem “Hujaha Chii?” in “Black Stars”, Msipa pokes at today’s youths, who are no longer aware of what constitutes adolescence. As future leaders, young people must be accountable to themselves and their people. Therefore, it is folly for them to seek relevance in alcoholism, drugs, sex and violence.

Msipa explores thematic concerns of violence and oppression in all its variables; sexual, psychological, and mental in “Hatichavada” in “Tsuro Ndisunge”.

Conscious that violence, lust and rumour-mongering are colour blind and gender insensitive, he highlights that even though women may be at the receiving end at the home-front and workplace, they are capable of oppressing others as well.

In the anthology “Zviri Mugapu”, particularly in “Bhuku”, Msipa underscores the importance of the tripartite: books-reading-education, in the journey of life. He maintains that nothing outpaces knowledge in the rat race known as life.

In a marketplace where ignorance is the commodity in vogue—in the wake of new gods—poverty, sex, alcohol and food, the knowledgeable will always lead.

Indeed, a man who is well-read can easily be picked out from a bunch of mediocre pretenders, because, “if we encounter a man of rare intellect, we should ask him what books he reads” (Ralph Waldo Emerson).