MARTIN MAWAYA
GWERU — African writers must reclaim the continent’s story and confront poverty by challenging exploitative systems rather than internalizing deficit narratives, UNESCO language representative Professor Wiseman Magwa has said.
Speaking at the launch of Narratives Against Poverty in Africa in Gweru recently, Prof. Magwa described the anthology as a “pan-African chorus of hope” that reframes poverty as a product of historical and contemporary injustices, not African identity.
“Africans must never be seen as custodians of poverty,” declared Prof. Magwa, who serves as the Co-Chairman of the UNESCO Global Task Force on Indigenous Languages. “We are custodians of our land, our minerals, our flora and fauna that have been plundered through the machinations of capitalism, colonialism, corruption cartels and dictatorship.”
The anthology, curated by Mbizo Chirasha, the founder of the African Writing Program, brings together voices from across the continent, featuring poetry, essays, and hybrid narratives from writers in countries such as Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and Cameroon.
According to Prof. Magwa, the book stands as both a mirror reflecting the struggles of Africans and a map guiding the continent toward practical and compassionate action.
He emphasized that storytelling must move beyond entertainment, evolving into a “knowledge exchange project” capable of inspiring policy innovation, community development, and academic collaborations across disciplines.
The anthology, he noted, aligned with Zimbabwe’s cultural values and UNESCO ethics on literature development, describing it as an “African colossus of literary dexterity” with international relevance.
“Poems and stories in this book can inspire policy conversations, community initiatives and cross-border solidarity,” he said, urging collaboration between writers, educators, policymakers and development practitioners.
Prof. Magwa praised contributors for sharing lived experiences with artistic integrity and hailed organizers for ensuring ethical storytelling and developmental purpose.
He challenged stakeholders to translate reflection into action by investing in education, healthcare and young African writers.
“As we turn these pages, let us recommit to a future where poverty is not the defining story of Africa, but a chapter we confront with courage, creativity and collaboration,” Prof. Magwa added.
Prof. Magwa described Chirasha as a leading voice in contemporary African poetry and cultural activism.
