AFRICAN WOMAN WRITER

AFRICAN WOMAN WRITER….by Rhoda Zulu, Malawi

Anyone who is able to write is said to be a writer. But then others claim to do more writing than others such that they may be viewed as conscious writers. But to what extent are active female writers visible? Do our readers easily access the most of female writers’ products? Next, how would we compare visibility of female writers versus male writers in Malawi and Africa as a whole?

These are some questions worth brainstorming since writing is argued to be an aspect of development. May be it is one reason why it is said that leaders are supposed to be active readers; as quoted from FEMRITE Uganda Women Writers slogan, Leaders are Readers. Indeed there has been an outcry that Malawian female writers are less visible while male domination continues to outshine in literary works. In fact several people have called upon Malawian women to wake up from their slumber. Although one may choose to argue for or against the dispute, the fact remains that if one blouse through literary works then make a simple comparative analysis of who makes news and who publishes most, then male dominance is evident. But then one wonders why it is that while in Malawi female writers are viewed as not very vibrant in their literary contribution, on the other hand within our continent, Ugandan women ask where their male writers are. Actually the world is made of numerous women stories that require creation of conducive environments for these women to tell a fair tale. 

It is behind this predicament that the Rockefellers’ Foundation Centre of Frati at Bellagio in Italy generously provided scholarships to 19 females from some countries from Africa (including Rhoda Zulu from Malawi) to brainstorm the future of African female writers initiatives from 10 to 14^th November, 2014. Apart from Malawi other countries represented were South Africa, Ghana, Ethiopia, Uganda, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Kenya. These women who braved the cold temperature of Bellagio (between 5 to 10 degrees Celsius) included writers, publishers, editors and organizers of literary and creative initiatives.

 

 Participants to the African Women Writers’ Workshop at Ballagio,Italy (Rhoda Zulu fifth from left)

 

                 Rhoda Zulu at Bellagio Frati

Information authored by Judith Rodin, titled Bellagio Centre, Villa Serbelloni stated that the word Bellagio is from a Latin word bi-Lacus or two lakes. The Rockefeller Bellagio Centre is along a Y shaped Lake Como. The centre is an important historical site originally owned by Lady Ella, a princess who entrusted John D Rockefeller to make renovations. When the princess observed that John D Rockefeller had made wonderful renovations she felt this was a symbol of great humanitarian and charitable activities so she transformed ownership of Bellagio to Rockefeller. This marked the beginning of a centre that is now connected with cross pollination of traditions of extensive inquiry, innovation by hosting scientists, artists, theorists and practioners of various disciplines. As such residents and conference participants envision some of the next centuries’ most innovative ideas to fulfil Rockefeller foundation philanthropic mission. This centre hosts people of different cultures, geographic regions and disciplines that aim to spark solutions to major contemporary problems across the globe.

Lake Como, its Y shape almost surrounds Bellagio Centre

Major aims of this meeting were:

• To explore ideas and strategies for new means of survival and sustainability in an environment that might not necessarily be very favourable to women writing and to the arts in general.
• To explore the possibility of establishing a strategic network of African Women Writers Initiatives that will work to advance women writing in Africa.
• To create a platform for new connections among participating individuals and the organizations that were be represented.

Discussions centered around the position of women writing in Africa through experience sharing on successes and challenges as well as their aspirations. Among constraints was lack of funds for publishing, inability to carry out female writing promotions as well as lack of a coordinating body to boost women literary activities for Africa. At national levels most representatives expressed that development agenda does not have an art and culture contribution.

The outcome of the meeting was the birth of the African Women Writers’ Network which will focus on facilitating, coordinating and lobbying towards increased visibility and blossoming of female literary groupings through regional and country structures specifically managed by female writers. The network will further pull resources together and establish new connections from which female writers across Africa would increase visibility of their literary works. Key thematic areas for this network shall among others involve capacity building, provision of residences, fundraising and sustainability, publishing, festivals and experiential learning from models etc. Hence the network will promote and develop female writers, strengthen female writers’ organizations, foster innovation and support Africa Women writing through capacity building and funding support to regional and country networks that will be members.  FEMRITE Uganda was chosen to be the secretariat because it is a model due to its success in accelerating female literary works to a point where more female writing outwits male’s writing. The task force is mandated to come up with Terms of Reference and strategic plan for a visionary takeoff.

To sum up, the birth of African Women Writers shall have one of its indicators as that of an increased number of quality literary publications by  African Women as well s increased accessibility of African women writers’ works by their readers.