MARTIN MAWAYA
GWERU–The 2025 African Narrative Writing Hub has launched its flagship anthology under the theme “Narratives Against Poverty,” positioning storytelling as a tool to challenge socio-economic injustice, political instability and generational poverty in Africa.
Spearheaded by Zimbabwean literary activist and performance poet Mbizo Chirasha, the project produced by Africa Watch Trust brings together prose, poetry and essays from writers across the continent, foregrounding lived experience and cultural memory.
“This project has proven to be quite wholesome,” Chirasha said at the launch. “It is literary, developmental, intellectual, creative and humanitarian. It carries the weight of a cause that requires an African storytelling solution.”
The launch capped a three-tier programme that attracted more than 1,000 submissions from countries ranging from Lesotho to Cameroon.
The final selection, Chirasha said, reflects “the rich marrow of modern African storytelling.”
Standout prose works include Hope in the Desert by Zimbabwe’s Angeline Domingo, Burden of Stolen Survival by Tanzania’s Aneth Marembo, and Letters to the Governor (Anti-Patriot) by Nigeria’s Miracle W. Belous.
Poetry highlights include When Hunger Becomes a God by Nigeria’s Poetic Dave and Republic of Broken Flags by Ghana’s Daniel Naawenkangua Aboukir, which pays tribute to pan-African icons such as Thomas Sankara and Patrice Lumumba.
Essays feature titles such as Africa’s Mindset Change; Key to Peace, Progress and Prosperity by Zambia’s Lawrence Mukuka and Planting Seeds of Change by Cameroon’s Masooma Iya Malike Moto.
Beyond publication, runners up are undergoing thematic training through the UK-based Creative Writing for Social Change Virtual School under the mentorship of author Andy Pring, reinforcing the initiative’s focus on developing civic minded writers.
The associated 2025 African Literary Prize was adjudicated by poet Thando Kuhle Sibanda and writer Chenai Dunduru, while the foreword was written by Midlands State University academic Dr. Simbarashe Chitima.
International partners include the PG Family Foundation, The Betsy Writers Room in Miami, Florida International University and the International Human Rights Art Movement, with Deborah Briggs, Nicole Nyariri and Rebecca Friedman providing key curatorial and operational support.
As the anthology moves into its exposure phase, Chirasha said it seeks to deepen a pan-African conversation on poverty and justice through storytelling.
“It is better said, best written, and best read for mass education,” he said, adding that storytelling is a creative, peaceful and non-violent form of communication.
