BULAWAYO-BORN author Crispen Ndlovu has made it onto the list of finalists for the 2015 Africa Freedom Arts Awards to be held in Cairo for his debut political book, Guveya, published in 2014.
BY SHARON SIBINDI
The awards ceremony will be held on January 22.
The nominated book tackles topical issues that include marginalisation, social exclusion and politically-motivated violence. The text, Ndlovu said, is a fictional story inspired by true events, adding it is an account of the country’s journey of the period between 1983 and 2013.
Although Gukurahundi atrocities are regarded a “sacred” issue not to be debated publicly, Ndlovu charged that “the matter was a true history which has been deliberately omitted in the country’s mainstream writings hence the need to document it”.
Ndlovu said Guveya was the only Zimbabwean book nominated and the rest are from other different parts of Africa.
“My book Guveya has been nominated and I am the only one in the country who got the nomination. I saw the competition online last year in August and I gave it a try. I was shocked when I got an approval that my book has been nominated and awards will be held this month,” he said.
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Ndlovu said he was excited that his work was being recognised internationally but he will not be able to make it to Egypt for personal reasons.
“I am actually excited that my work is beginning to receive international recognition but at the same time I am hopeful of greater things to come. Transport arrangements have been made for me to go to Cairo but due to family problems I cannot make it and I am having a rough time,” he said.
The title of the book Guveya, Ndlovu said, derives from a Zambian language word which refers to a double-headed snake.
“The name metaphorically refers to a political flip-flopper,” he said.
Ndlovu believes national discourse on issues bedevilling the region is a prerequisite for healing and the way forward on the region’s development.
Guveya was launched in Bulawayo in December 2014 and in Harare early last year.
Ndlovu has also published a novel, Selobona Nya! a poetry anthology, Incwadi Encane, and was currently working on the film for Guveya.
