University of Malawi (Unima) Associate Professor in the Department of Literary Studies Asante Mtenje has cited network building as key to arts industry elevation.
She said, in this era, writers need to be sharing notes.
Mtenje said this on Sunday following the launch of her debut book titled Forms of Slaughter and Other Poems at Alliance Francaise de Blantyre, formerly French Cultural Centre.
The book was launched on Saturday.
“It is very important for us, writers, to be creating space for networks as we continue to build the industry.
“We, writers, need to be supporting each other,” she said.
Mtenje also emphasised the importance of mentoring budding writers “if we are going to have a vibrant literary culture in Malawi”.
This was Mtenje’s third book launch, having held other launch events in Zomba and Lilongwe.
“The support that I have received in all the three launches has motivated me to keep on writing. I am not stopping here; there are more books coming. The launch in Blantyre yesterday (Saturday) was amazing. Patronage was great as well,” she said.
During the launch of the book, whose foreword was written by Timwa Lipenga, Mtenje had a conversation with fellow writer Muthi Nhlema.
The book is a collection of poems that Mtenje has written over the years.
“These poems touch on a range of Malawian social issues that pre-occupy me as an individual, writer and academic. It is a culmination of my thoughts on gender-based violence, politics of memory, history, love for family, among other things,” she said.
She implored people to access the book and embrace writing.
“Some of the poems in the book are based on my observations on certain chapters of Malawi’s socio-political history as well as observations on women’s lived experiences.
“Others are based on my own lived experience as a woman in Malawi. Some of these poems are 13 years old; others are less than a year old,” Mtenje said.
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