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Pen Malawi honours Professor David Rubadiri

Pen Malawi, through its female poets, has honoured Professor David Rudabiri with an excellence award for his contribution towards the promotion of poetry in Africa.

The ceremony to honour the retired literature professor took place at Protea Ryalls in Blantyre on Sunday night.

Speaking during the ceremony, Pen Malawi president Alfred Msadala said the award is befitting for Rubadiri as he dedicated his whole life to teaching poetry and promoting it among intellectuals.

“Poetry is what it is today due to his contribution. He literally went across Africa teaching and promoting poetry,” he said.

Msadala said the Sisters Award to Rudabiri, therefore, is a reminder to the younger generations that they have a great man that they can look up to for inspiration.

One of Rubadiri’s former students, Professor Susan Kiguli, said she and her fellow Ugandans take Rubadiri as their own as they started studying his works from secondary school.

“Our relationship with Professor Rubadiri dates way back. Actually, many think he is Ugandan due to the immense work that he did at Makerere University. He is a household name in Uganda as far as poetry and literature are concerned,” she said.

“I had my personal contact with him in 1991 at Makerere University where he taught us poetry. He literally changed the landscape of literature in Uganda.”

Kiguli, herself an associate professor at Makerere University, says Rubadiri’s dedication to teaching poetry goes beyond a job.

She then read three poems in Rudabiri’s honour.

The poems were Rubadiri Rules, The Mountains In Zomba and No Longer A Voice In The Wilderness.

Then finally one of the female poets, Grace Sharra, made the citations: “Today, on March 18, the Sister Award of Excellence has been awarded to Professor David Rubadiri for his contribution as a pioneer of poetry in Africa.”

With the citations, patrons that graced the occasions gave out a loud applause. The award will be handed over to Rubadiri, who was not present during the function due to poor health this week.

Rubadiri published various poetry books and novels, including No Bride Price, An African Thunderstorm and Begging Aid.

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