In 2010, on World AIDS Day, Zimbabwean footballers, together with other celebrities and the US Ambassador, Charles Ray, publicly tested for HIV. Commonly, celebrities in Zimbabwe fail to handle the wealth and fame that comes with their success. They stray from their normal lives and associate themselves with promiscuity and lose the status of being role models in society.

The United States Embassy is supporting a partnership between the Footballers Union of Zimbabwe (FUZ) and Population Services International (PSI) to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS.

The US Embassy, through the US President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR) and PSI, have decided to take the HIV/AIDS campaigns within the football fraternity to the next level. The US through its PEPFAR programme will donate USD60, 000 to the Footballers Union of Zimbabwe. PSI will provide technical support by conducting HIV/AIDS education programmes to all football players drawn from the 16 local football teams. The programme topics will dwell on male circumcision, condom use, and reduction of concurrent sexual partners, together with the importance of knowing one’s status. PSI is to engage action into these trainings to encourage footballers to play it safe on the pitch and off the pitch. Ambassador Ray encouraged footballers to share the knowledge they will receive from these trainings with their fans to help curb the spread of HIV/AIDS among young people.

FUZ’s project will run under the theme, “Don’t Play, Lets Substitute”. This idea came to the union because of its concern over footballer’s health, which is of paramount importance to their fitness and in turn, they careers.

Soccer is one of Zimbabwe’s favourite sports with a huge fan base and several young aspiring football players. It is our hope that through this initiative our beloved football players will take a firm stance and be role models in society to help in the fight against HIV and AIDS.

Isabella Matambanadzo recently shared with Kubatana a very moving tribute to Susan Zvinoira, the energy behind Zimbabwe Widows Orphan Trust.

Laughter through her tears: A Tribute to Susan Zvinoira
By Isabella Matambanadzo

Although Susan Zvinoira dedicated both her heart and home to sharing what she had, and what she knew, with others like her; disposed black African widows in Zimbabwe and beyond, you will not find her name among those of the world’s greatest philanthropists of the 21st century. In fact, in spite of all the volunteerism through giving, caring and sharing that black African women do on the continent, they do not make the grade when it comes to official recognition related to selfless service to community and society.

For nearly two decades, Susan’s home at number 114 Eastern Road in Greendale served as the only place country wide for widows to lay down their very heavy burdens. “Sometimes the widows come here with just the clothing on their backs,” she once said, speaking of her work. “We do not have much”, “We sleep on the floor in the lounge and in winter we boil water and make hot water bottles from old plastic bottles to keep warm,” with a mischievous glimmer of pride that was her hallmark.

A woman of immeasurable sensibility and bountiful love, Susan put to good use every scrap of energy she had in both her spirit and soul. “We have a garden and that is where we grow our food. Our home is rich, not with money but with bees. So we have set up a honey-making project. We process and package honey and sell it by the bottle. That is one of the ways we make our income. We are now starting to get orders from supermarket chains and that is really helpful. We then use the by-products to make candles, which we also sell. Our garden is also a source of income. We grow and sell vegetables. Our soil is rich but we need more space to grow more food so that we can make a real profit. At the moment we have enough to fill our stomachs. Water is also a problem. We are trying to think of ways to sink a borehole”.

Her motivation and culture of sisterly support was perhaps borne out of the need she saw around her as it was her personal experience: “I take in other women who like me are widows”, she once explained. “The widows have absolutely nothing. They are bereaved, their property has been grabbed by the in-laws, sometimes even by their sons. Their morale is low and they have no resources so they cannot get legal support. Lawyers are very expensive”.

Just how deep her fabulous reservoir of positivity ran, can only be truly understood by seeking out and listening to those she worked with and for. At her graveside at Greendale cemetery this April, widow after widow spoke glowingly of her love, her affection and her refusal to give in to wretchedness and adversity. Their eulogies paid tribute to a woman who never turned any widow, and if she had them, her children away. Even when it was impossible to imagine just how many more women could squeeze into the lounge, she found a way.

“I hope that one day we can build a proper shelter and have the full facilities that we need so that the widows can live a little more comfortably”, she said considering always how to turn a negative experience into a pleasant one.

As we pay modest tribute to a true Sheroine of our times, we are starkly reminded of the just how much women’s oppression and inequality persist in Zimbabwean society, even in the face of legislative and policy progress.

Her own words, spoken back in 2004, offered then, as they do today a crystal clear analysis of the root causes of women’s subjugation: “The problems that widows face in Zimbabwe stem from our practice of dowry, the paying of cows or money to the bride’s family. This leaves a woman in this country with a feeling that she is the husband’s property. When the husband dies the family, because they may have contributed in one way or another to the dowry directly or to the education of the man, will feel they own her so they want to take her over as a wife. They take her as an asset. This is because of Zimbabwe’s multiple marriage laws and practice. You will find that a husband has a civil marriage with one woman, and a customary one with another, he may even have children with a girlfriend. When he dies, all these women are left in a web that becomes an inheritance dispute, especially with the family of the deceased. In Zimbabwe today many widows do not have the right to withdraw money from the account of their deceased husband. Some widows do not know where he was saving the money. You can starve in your home with a cheque book in your hands”.

Known to many through the respectful and endearing title of Amai Zvinoira, Susan didn’t wear the dejection of the bad cards life had dealt her with heaviness. She always put her very best foot, even if dressed in shoes worn down from daily walks to the high court, forward, and kept alive the promise of a better day. “I am not a lawyer. I was exposed to the law by sitting in the courtroom and listening, reading about it and I really learned on the job”. Never one to be daunted by bureaucracy, she approached The Master of the High Court for support. “Mr Nyatanga has been very helpful. He has said that we are able to get assistance when we go to the courts. Every Tuesday and Thursday we receive a welcoming reception. We have even started to call them ‘widows days’. I am not sure what we would have done without his understanding and assistance”. And there again was another admirable trait that Susan had, she always recognized the remarkable support of those people who made the lives of widows and orphans a little easier.

ZWOT’s realization of the impact of HIV and AIDS on the lives on widows resulted in the growth of the organization, beyond Susan’s initial vision. “The effects of HIV and AIDS on the lives of widows are enormous. We do not test the women who come here. We provide a supportive environment for them to make a choice about whether they want to be tested or not. We managed to negotiate for HIV positive women to join support groups and programmes that are providing women with treatment. We want women to be as healthy and as strong as is possible”.

At a conference organized by the United Nations Food and Agricultural Programme (UNFAO) and supported by the sister agency UNIFEM, the United Nations Women’s Fund, among other key civil society and government departments in Zimbabwe on the importance of securing tenure of property for women in their own names in 2004, she told some of her life’s story and the founding of her institution. “We were five friends and we were talking about widowhood, how life had changed. I was also a widow who was stressed up. I used to pray. I would cry myself to sleep because of grief. One day when I was sleeping I dreamt of a group of women all dressed in white and they were sobbing because of the pain of widowhood. A voice said, “You can help, you will be trained, you will be provided”.

It was a voice that she said she avoided for many years. A veritable entrepreneur, she had set up a no nonsense hardware store to ensure she had a purse of her own. “I kept dodging that issue. I really didn’t want anything else. But this voice kept bothering me and here we are today.” A perpetual optimist, Susan and the members of Zimbabwe Widows and Orphans Trust, ZWOT insisted that the conference host a fashion show where the widows would be models. They made light of their hard experiences, modeling to the song Neria by award winning Zimbabwean musician Oliver Mutukudzi.

“Complicated problems arise out of death. Widows often come to us looking for legal assistance, mostly to get their property back. We start by getting as much information as we can from the widow about her marriage, how she was married be it through civil law or customary law, and so on. In some cases the widows do not have any official marriage certificates and we have to go to the government offices to look for records,” Susan explained.

“Sometimes we are lucky and find records, in other cases we have to look for witnesses who were there when the customary marriage took place. But in the worst cases we even have to try and secure birth and identity documents for the widow and assist her in getting a death certificate for her deceased husband where she does not have one. Once we have the information that we require, we then determine which route is best to follow. Negotiations with the family are sometimes successful. But where they fail to reach an agreement, matters can end up with the police or in court”, she said.

It was Susan Zvinoira’s dream to build a special shelter in Zimbabwe for dispossessed widows. ” This shelter would be somewhere where they are at peace and do not have the stress of being destitute. I am not sure how we can get donations of clothing so that they have at least a change of dress. Especially for the days we have to go to court”.

Faced daily with the injustices of sexist practices that make Zimbabwe a society in which many women are denied their rights in both the public and private spheres of their lives, you would think Susan would give up. A stalwart to the very end, she saw the importance of women having a purse of their own. “Above all we teach women to get back onto their feet and start looking for opportunities to make an independent income and manage their resources. Most of the women here were used to being looked after. They were not breadwinners, so this is a new direction for them, counting their own money and planning their own business ventures”.

Susan she lived her hard days by hope and positivity. “Life was bleak but now we have gone from tears to laughter. I can say I have thousands of grandchildren. We even had a baby born here in our living room. I have many thousands of daughters. Widows are suffering in Zimbabwe. I look forward to a day when the people of Zimbabwe will then begin to respect their widows”.

Work in and for Zimbabwe. Help grow our nation. Check out the vacancies below. If you’d like to receive this sort of information, as well as civic and human rights updates, by email each week drop us a note saying “subscribe” to info [at] kubatana [dot] net
Please note that the job vacancies we carry are related to the NGO and civil society sectors only.

2 (Two) vacancies – Africa University
Deadline: 25 May 2011

Africa University, an International Pan African and United Methodist Church Related Institution in Zimbabwe, invites applications from suitably qualified and well experienced persons to fill the following position:

1) Registrar

Job summary:

Reporting to the Vice Chancellor, this is an executive position in the University. The Registrar will act as the chief administrator, whose main responsibility is the provision of administration services through the designing of appropriate systems. The Registrar leads undergraduate and graduate activities involving admission, registration, grading, class and examination scheduling, student awards and financial aid, curriculum review, university calendar publication and graduation. He or she will lead all activities relating to the management of Human Resources at the University. The Registrar shall enforce all rules and regulations of the Board of Directors and shall have such authority as is necessary to enforce them.

He or she is also expected to provide guidance and advice regarding policies and procedures to appropriate campus governing committees such as Senate and Cabinet.

Specific Duties

Strategic

- Responsible for developing and implementing the Registry strategic plan in accordance with the overall Africa University strategic plan
- Reviews academic and administrative policies and recommends changes and, when required, drafts new policies for consideration by the appropriate Committees.
- Serves as a member of the University’s senior management team
- Works with faculty and administrators to align academic programs with the strategic mission of the University

Administrative

- Serve on or chair University committees as appropriate
- Overseeing the provision of security services to all University properties
- Overseeing the provision of technical general services like electrical, construction, plumbing and transport

Academic Affairs

- Oversees the processing of student admissions, registration, administration of financial aid, scheduling of classes and examinations, maintenance of academic records and the holding of academic ceremonies like graduation and matriculation
- Ensures implementation of academic policies with regard to student records,  registration, examinations, grading and graduation
- Provides support and advice to the Senate Committees on academic issues

Human Resources

- Oversees the strategic management of Human Resources issues at the university, including but not limited to: recruitment, staff development, performance management and industrial relations

Requirements

- At least a Masters degree in student services, educational administration or a related area
- Substantial experience at a senior level in a Higher Education institution
- Demonstrated understanding of the application of technology to deliver Records and Registration services.
- A proven record in working successfully with diverse populations
- Ability to collaborate effectively with University departments and cross-functional teams
- Strong interpersonal, oral and written communication skills

2) University Librarian

Reporting to the Vice Chancellor, this is a very senior position responsible for the Jokomo / Yamada Library of Africa University. The University Librarian, who is the chief professional custodian of all academic information resources in the University, shall be responsible for the administration and safeguarding of the libraries of the University. He/she will ensure the effective operation and management of the library system by maintaining an administrative policy and managing the policy through appropriate officers. In addition, the University Librarian is responsible for strategic planning and implementation; preparation and monitoring of library budget; approving acquisitions of Library books and electronic resources; staff recruitment and development; carrying out public relations duties for the Library as well as overseeing Library fund raising activities for identified projects.

Qualifications and experience

- A minimum of a University degree plus a Masters degree in Library and Information Science with at least 10 years working experience in a senior position in an academic library;
- He/she must be an accomplished manager with a vision, knowledge and skills to develop, organise and manage the library at the forefront of technological advances and latest developments of ICTs within the library science field, including effective use of the Internet and other electronic library information and virtual digital library system; and information management practices;
- Sensitivity and commitment to living in an international and multicultural community
- Evidence of research and publications in relevant disciplines is desirable.
To apply:

Applications together with CV, copies of certified certificates, academic transcripts and at least three referees, with their e-mail and postal addresses should be forwarded to: Assistant Registrar, Personnel and Administration, Africa University, P O Box 1320, Mutare, Zimbabwe. Or e-mail to: arpa [at] africau [dot] ac [dot] zw or arpasec [at] africau [dot] ac [dot] zw

Program Managers: AusAID
Deadline: 27 May 2011

AusAID, the Australian Government’s Agency for International Development, is seeking an experienced, dynamic and innovative Senior Program Manager and a Program Manager to help implement Australia’s aid program in Zimbabwe.

Based in the Australian Embassy, Harare, the successful candidates will be engaged for two years, with the possibility of an extension.

Key Performance Areas will include the design, implementation and review of Australia’s aid programs in Zimbabwe; Providing policy input to program development and review across a range of sectors; Liaising with government and non-government stakeholders, other international donors and multinational organisations; and Managing AusAID’s relationships with regional and international organisations and programs.

Requirements:
·    Experience (minimum 5 years for Senior Program Manager) in aid delivery, development aid program management while working for a government, NGO or regional/international organisation
·    Highly effective representation and interpersonal skills and a demonstrated ability to cultivate productive working relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders.
·    Demonstrated ability to achieve results, including in the management of people, resources, projects and financial management.
·    Demonstrated capacity to think strategically and provide high level policy advice.
·    Highly developed communication skills, particularly in written and spoken English, including strong computer literacy and well developed negotiation, liaison and representation skills.
·    Demonstrated personal drive and integrity.
·    Relevant educational qualifications in development, social sciences, international relations or economics.

View the full job description and application instructions on www.actionappointments.co.za and email your application to tracy [at] actionappointments [dot] co [dot] za

Regional Financial Integration Specialist: FinMark
Deadline: 27 May 2011

FinMark Trust is an independent non-profit organisation whose business is controlled by seven trustees from countries in Southern Africa. FinMark Trust’s purpose if ‘Making financial markets work for the poor, by promoting financial inclusion and regional financial integration’.

The Regional Financial Integration Unit (RFIU) which has been established to support regional financial integration in Southern Africa and the implementation of SADC Finance and Investment Protocol (FIP) has a vacancy for a specialist and is seeking a qualified and suitably qualified person to fill the position.

Key responsibilities include:

- Participation in the development and implementation of the RFIU strategy and programme
- Manage support projects to key regional committees and countries, and provide expert advice and input to ensure effective implementation
- Develop and maintain a RFIU databank on key information in identified areas of financial integration in the SADC region and other regions on the continent and abroad
- Commission and manage research when necessary
- Develop and implement a monitoring and evaluation system for Regional Financial Integration

Experience and qualifications:

- Relevant qualification preferably in Finance, Banking or Economics
- Experience in a Central Bank, Finance Ministry or Commercial Bank will be an added advantage
- Sound understanding of finance sector regulatory matters
- Good understanding of capital markets, strategy, programme and project design and management
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Willingness to travel extensively in the SADC region

FinMark Trust is an equal opportunity employer. In addition to a competitive salary FinMark Trust offers the opportunity to grow personally and professionally in a stimulating work environment.

Please forward your CV and motivation letter to Priscilla Cebisa via email at Priscillac [at] finmark [dot] org [dot] za or fax to Priscilla on +27-86-518-3579.

Public Health Data Analyst / Health Information Use Trainer: RTI International
Deadline: 27 May 2011 (close of business)

Building Health Data Dissemination and Information Use Systems in the Republic of Zimbabwe under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)

RTI, is an independent organisation dedicated to conducting innovative, multidisciplinary research that improves the human condition. With a worldwide staff of more than 4,000 people, RTI offers innovative research and development and a full spectrum of multidisciplinary services. Universities in North Carolina founded RTI in 1958 as the first scientific organisation in and centrepiece of the Research Triangle Park.

Background

The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has called for immediate comprehensive and evidence based action to turn the tide of global HIV/AIDS. Under the leadership of the U.S. Global AIDS Co-ordinator, as part of the President’s Emergency Plan, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (HHS/CDC) works with host countries and other key partners to assess the needs of each country and design a customised programme of assistance that fits within the host nation’s strategic plan and partnership framework.

The purpose of this program is to develop public health resources in-country to analyse health data for programmatic and policy development, improvement and development of methods and systems for information dissemination in Zimbabwe with a particular focus on building the capacity of the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare (MoHCW).

In Zimbabwe RTI is partnering with the Biomedical Research and Training Institute (BRTI) to implement this programme. BRTI is an independent research institution dedicated to promote health development through research and training in Zimbabwe and the SADC region.

The programme aims at strengthening and implementing the adopted National Health Information Strategic paper (NHIS) and its objective to make wider use of health information for health service management.

This Program is looking for:

Public Health Data Analyst / Health Information Use Trainer

The successful candidate will report to the RTI Project Director based in the MOHCW. He/She will co-operate closely with the (Act.) Deputy Director Health Information Systems (DDHIS) and Provincial and City Health Information staff throughout the country.

This position will be based at the MOHCW in Harare, Zimbabwe for a period of up to 5 years.

Duties:

- Coordinate/facilitate training on quality data collection, data cleaning, report compilation and dissemination with strong emphasis on information use for management at district and provincial level
- Assist and advise the process of preparation and facilitation of data analysis workshops at national and provincial level through existing meeting routines
- Guide and assist provincial and district staff in analysis of routinely collected data and health information presentation
- Assist the DDHIS with the timely production of routine National HID’s reports.
- In line with the requirements stipulated in the NHIS, assist the process of data gathering from its sources throughout the country, ensure verification, data cleaning and compilation (including data from surveys carried out on behalf of the Ministry)
- Assist in development of handbooks and brochures on how to perform data analysis according to MOHCW data and data use needs
- Ensure a high level of communication and close working relationships with the project team, project implementers and provincial and district health information managers
- Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications and experience:

- University degree (Master) in public health, nursing, social science, statistics, education or relevant academic experience
- Experience in training and/or workshop facilitation is an advantage
- Experience with standard software packages (MS-Office, Epi-Info, etc); experience with DHIS/Access is an advantage
- Strong oral and written communication and presentation skills required
- Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines with quality products
- Strong organisational and interpersonal skills

All applications, clearly stating the position being applied for, should be forwarded by email to the following addresses: adaizi [at] brti [dot] co [dot] zw or submitted to RTI Project Administrator, BRTI, Nicoz Diamond Building, 4th Floor, Corner Samora Machel Ave/Park Street, Harare.

Regional Programmes Manager: Africa (Ref: FP/1) International HIV/AIDS Alliance
Deadline: 30 May 2011 (5PM UK time)

Salary £39,000 – £41,000 (pro-rated) plus attractive benefits package
Based in Brighton, UK with regular travel in the region

The International HIV/AIDS Alliance supports communities to meet the challenges of AIDS and build healthier communities.  Our vision is a world in which people do not die of AIDS. Since 1994, the Alliance and its partners have supported over 3,000 projects, in over 40 countries, reaching millions of people.

We have an opportunity for a Regional Programmes Manager within our African Field Programmes team.

The post holder will be responsible for the management of relationships and overseeing support to Linking Organisations (‘LO’) within the regional programmes. They will also be responsible for the development and management of collaboration with regional organisations alongside the successful development of new programmes, management of programme contracts, programme implementation and budget control.

In collaboration with the Head of Team Africa the Regional Programmes Manage contributes to the Alliance’s strategic directions in the region. The Programme Manager advises on management and quality assurance of programmes, leads regional programme development, represents the assigned programmes both in the Secretariat and externally, ensures effective knowledge sharing and develops and maintains professional relationships with programme partners and relevant donors.

Please see the person specification and job description for full details of the role.

How to apply:

For more details on this post, including Job Description and Person Specification please visit www.aidsalliance.org and click on ‘jobs’.

The International HIV/AIDS Alliance is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications from appropriately qualified people from all sections of the community. Qualified people living with HIV are particularly encouraged to apply.

Finance Assistant: United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
Deadline: 31 May 2011

Vacancy Notice No. Zim/2011:11
GS6 Level based in Harare, Zimbabwe (Fixed Term Post)

UNICEF, the world’s leading children’s rights organization, has an opening for passionate and committed professionals who want to make a lasting difference for children in Zimbabwe. We are seeking people with a commitment for women and children, high drive for results, demonstrable embracing of diversity, integrity, demonstrable teamwork, good self-awareness and self-regulation.

Purpose of the Job:

Under the supervision of Finance Officer, the successful candidate will perform moderately specialized tasks in the accounting and finance functions. The candidate will maintain financial records for projects or other office. The Finance Assistant will be responsible for codes and records receipts and payments whilst assuring accuracy of computation and completeness of documents, and maintains continuing status of allotments against obligations.

The Finance Assistant will prepare recurring reports on assigned accounts, noting problems resulting from excess cost or less-than-expected receipts.  This role also involves calculating and compiling cost estimates and projected budget requirements and assists in preparation of budget statements. They will also brief and assist newly arrived international staff, experts and consultants on basic financial procedures and requirements with respect to payments, entitlements, banking and currency provisions and other requirements relating to accounts and finance.

Qualifications and Competencies:

-    Completion of secondary education. Additional commercial training in bookkeeping, business or accounting at diploma or degree level is desirable
-    Five years of general accounting clerical experience
-    Initiative, passion and commitment to UNICEF’s mission and professional values
-    Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment

If you have experience of working in a similar capacity, meet the above profile and want to make an active and lasting contribution to build a better world for children, send your application quoting vacancy notice number to the following address:

HR Specialist (Vacancy Notice No. 11: Zim-2011) UNICEF, 6 Fairbridge Avenue, P O Box 1250 Belgravia, Harare

Or email: hararevacancies [at] gmail [dot] com

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Operations Specialist (Quality Assurance): United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
Deadline: 31 May 2011

Vacancy Notice No. Zim/2011:12
NOC Level based in Harare, Zimbabwe (Fixed Term Post)

UNICEF, the world’s leading children’s rights organization, has an opening for passionate and committed professionals who want to make a lasting difference for children in Zimbabwe. We are seeking people with a commitment for women and children, high drive for results, demonstrable embracing of diversity, integrity, demonstrable teamwork, good self-awareness and self-regulation.

Purpose of the Job:

The post holders will work closely with the Operations Chief to update office’s standard operating procedures, ensure staff understands them, and subsequently to test a sample of transactions to verify that the procedures are being properly implemented. They will support various office committees in reviewing relevant documentation against financial guidelines and work processes as well as provide assurance follow up in the implementation of recommendations.

This Quality Assurance role will have substantive scope, providing training and orientation to newly recruited and exiting staff on UNICEF’s policies and procedures, review of contracts etc, prior to the commitment of UNICEF’s funds. They will also manage various internal databases relating to contracts and agreements. They will assist in the follow-up on the implementation of the audit recommendations..

Qualifications and Competencies:

-    Advanced University degree in accounting, business administration, economics or financial management and membership – or enrolled for membership – of recognized professional accountancy body
-    At least five years of relevant professional work experience in office management, finance, accounting, ICT, human resources, supply and administration and/or other related fields
-    Initiative, passion and commitment to UNICEF’s mission and professional values
-    Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment

If you have experience of working in a similar capacity, meet the above profile and want to make an active and lasting contribution to build a better world for children, send your application quoting vacancy notice number to the following address:

HR Specialist (Vacancy Notice No. 12: Zim-2011) UNICEF, 6 Fairbridge Avenue, P O Box 1250 Belgravia, Harare

Or email: hararevacancies [at] gmail [dot] com

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

The only way to be more than a number, more than a useful object, more than a consumer, more than a CV or a Facebook profile, is to identify what is valuable to you, what is worthwhile to you, worth living for – perhaps even worth dying for, and then to keep faith with the you that you are. I don’t mean in a rigid paranoid way; the self changes but the self isn’t for sale.
- Jeanette Winterson

Reblogged from Hey unloving, I will love you via It’s a Kirby

It’s always a moment of pride when I find a Zimbabwean author mentioned in the international media. What is largely published about Zimbabwe does a disservice to our country and us. Ours is not a single story. It is always a particularly proud moment when I find that the author is also a woman.  The shortlist for the Twelfth Caine Prize for African Writing was announced recently and Zimbabwean author Noviolet Bulawayo has been shortlisted for her story Hitting Budapest.

Of course the most internationally recognizable Zimbabwean women writers are Tsitsi Dangarembga, Yvonne Vera and more recently Petina Gappah. In an interview with Mazwi literary journal Noviolet discusses why there are only a handful of Zimbabwean women writers:

Of course there are a host of reasons, but I think it also speaks to the trying circumstances of African women, not just Zimbabwean women by the way, as the group that comes last in everything and writing is no exception. Of cause this is compounded by the politics of the publishing industry. Still, I believe Zimbabwean women have compelling stories and those who are writing are doing a good job representing, and I’d like to especially thank those who are writing from Zimbabwe, the little known and unknown ones. To me those are the bad-ass writers, imagine knowing you will never be read beyond your borders, never be an international star but still writing all the same! That’s writing as speaking, as insisting on one’s presence and I think that’s deep.