Writers Global Movement scouts for talent
Writers Global Movement (WGM) Malawi Chapter has embarked on an initiative called hangout which is aimed at engaging budding writers in their learning institutions and communities.
The initiative aims at unearthing raw potential, providing motivation and honing skills of budding writers especially girls. The exercise will be carried out nationwide with the help of regional coordinators.
They say this is part of their preparations for an international writing conference which will take place early next year in Nigeria whose theme is centred on promoting young female writers which will also require the representation of Malawian female writers.
WGM country representative Joseph Loga said from an assessment that they conducted it has been revealed that there are few female writers not only in Malawi but on the continental level as well who often lack the belief in their skill and talent.
Loga said: “We are going to visit primary and secondary school students and enlighten them how they can use writing as a tool to inspire moral growth in their communities. By doing this we believe they will be motivated to work hard both in their studies and to improve their writing.”
He mentioned St Augustine 3 Primary School in Blantyre and Mpondasi Community Day Secondary School in Balaka as some of the schools they will work with in the Southern Region.
Loga said there are many potential female writers in the communities whose skills is going to waste because of lack of a conducive environment, support and recognition.
“It has always been our belief that females are the best at storytelling because they are always in the society where they have access to first-hand information of daily situations. Males are disadvantaged because their association is somewhat limited,” he said.
With the view of expanding their coverage, WGM says they plan to work with other stakeholders such as Children Voice Malawi, Tsogolo Youth Network and other major organisations which are also working in the sector.
One of the country’s established female writers EkarhiMbvundula in an interview said upcoming female writers have mostly suffered from wrong perceptions which portray their male counterparts as the most fitting for the opportunities that are present.
“The industry itself has its own challenges which make it even harder for female writers to make a breakthrough. The infrastructure and the system does not offer enough platforms. While as males can create their own audiences, females cannot,” she said.
