AMPLIFYING AFRICAN VOICES

Looking back on the inaugural year of the International Chair of Creative Writing in Africa.

UEA’s prestigious International Chair of Creative Writing programme recently completed its first year, focusing on the continent of Africa.

Tsitsi Dangarembga, acclaimed Zimbabwean novelist, playwright and filmmaker, was appointed as Chair by the University in 2021. She led a series of creative writing workshops and events over the following 12 months, beginning with three weeks at UEA meeting students and leading seminars.

Professor Jean McNeil, programme coordinator, said, “Structural forces in the world have led to an imbalance in literature. Through this programme, we wanted to honour new voices and promote African perspectives.”

Tsitsi and Jean travelled to Namibia to host the country’s first-ever literary festival focusing on Namibian and regional writers. UEA also held writing workshops in Kampala, Uganda, and Maun and Gaborone, Botswana, as well as the first-ever bilingual writing workshop in Kiswahili and English in Nairobi, Kenya. A four-month mentorship programme in

Zimbabwe culminated in workshops and theatre performances in Harare.

Workshop participants have since published their work in new anthologies, while the mentorship programme resulted in a writing showcase.

Prof McNeil added, “I do believe we have made a difference to the world of creative writing and the lives of our participants. It was incredibly rewarding to hear our writers’ personal stories, dreams and ambitions, as well as read and hear their new writing. All of this only exists thanks to the International Chair programme and the generosity of our visionary philanthropist.”

In coming years, our hope is that the International Chair of Creative Writing programme will focus on four more regions – Asia, Australasia, the Americas and the Middle East.

If you would like to offer your support for this life-changing programme and its scholarships, please get in touch with the Development Office.

Roxane Bayer

Attended UEA’s literary festival in Namibia.

“The festival gave me confidence in and hope for Namibian literature. I felt empowered and genuinely felt like anything was possible. For the first time, I felt like my dreams of being a writer weren’t as ridiculous as I had always believed.

“Each author had something different and unique to teach us. Witnessing masters talking about their art was impressive and something I won’t easily forget. Besides learning the theory and technicalities of writing, I learned how to create atmosphere and milieu.

“That was particularly relevant because nostalgia is a major theme for me. The story I contributed to our anthology takes place in a town that is very familiar and every single detail is drawn from my memories.

“I want to write stories that put Namibian experiences at the forefront, whether that be in the form of horror, fantasy or romance. I want to write both fiction and nonfiction. I want to write about the Baster people and our history. I want to write stories for Namibian girls and women.

“I just want Namibians to have the chance to read stories where they can see themselves, and I want to play my own part in that.”

Charmaine Gamxamus

Attended UEA’s literary festival in Namibia.

“During the writing workshops, I was completely enthused. Our mentors were walking libraries, offering so much to learn from. It was enlivening and enriching to hear different perspectives on literature’s power to expand the mind and enrich our collective lives.

“I learned that to reach mastery, I had to be willing to be a fool on the path of apprenticeship. And just when I thought I had reached the pinnacle, it was only the first mountain on a very long path.

“Most importantly, I learned the value of being brave enough to make mistakes. They help you learn what not to do next time.

“One of my goals is to expand the ‘reading for leisure’ culture in Namibia, especially for children, teenagers and young Namibians. I want them to choose Namibian literature that they can identify with, instead of wasting away in front of a screen.

“I hope that one day, young people will discover stories like mine and anthologies like ours as part of the Namibian education system’s English Literature curricula.”

Meet The Global Voices Scholars

The same generous philanthropist funding the International Chair of Creative Writing in Africa will also support 10 Global Voices Scholarships from the region.

The first of these scholars have already travelled to Norfolk to join UEA’s world-famous Creative Writing Programme.

Salma Yusuf (LDC22) joined the MA Creative Writing (Poetry). Her poems have since been published in three literary magazines, and performed on the NaPoWriMo podcast and during a live broadcast by the BBC.

Kelechi Njoku (LDC23) joined the MA Creative Writing (Prose). He is now working on writing a crime novel, which has received valuable feedback from Giles Foden, author of The Last King of Scotland.

Suleiman Lawal (LDC23) joined the MA Creative Writing (Scriptwriting). He is casting and directing his short play Euphoria for UEA’s Spotlights Festival. His goal is to be a working actor, writer and director who specifically tells African stories.

Lillian Akampurira Aujo (LDC23), MA Creative Writing (Poetry), said, “For the first time, I am surrounded by people with the same interest and ambition. Being at UEA right now is the felicitous element I needed to keep my faith in becoming a professional poet.”

The Global Voices Scholarships are fully funded and available for any of UEA’s Creative Writing MA programmes. We are seeking additional philanthropic support to create a further 10 scholarships for each world region that the International Chair programme covers, up to 50 in total.