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I can’t write anymore, says Steve Chimombo

t is over! Veteran author Steve Chimombo has come out of a battle with stroke to reveal he can write no more.

The writer of Napolo Poems might have survived the paralysing disease six years ago, but it has cost him the literary prowess that endeared him with many beyond the corridors of University of Malawi’s Chancellor College (Chanco) in Zomba, where he served as a Professor of English Literature for decades.

“Stroke has killed my creative writing. I can’t write anymore. The only thing I am doing now is getting rid of my books. I am giving them to the bookshops to sell on my behalf,” he said in an interview.

Chimombo: Stroke killed my creativity
Chimombo: Stroke killed my creativity

The academic-turned-writer sounded jovial when The Nation called to find out what has been keeping him busy lately.

Chimombo is well known for harnessing the myths of napolo to portray the suffering of Malawians during the one-party regime of Kamuzu Banda whose government was notorious for detaining and exiling of artists.

Legend associated napolo, a mythical serpent that lives under mountains, with devastating disasters such as landslides, earthquakes and floods.

His poetry book got an honorary mention for the Noma Award for publishing in Africa in 1988.

Some quarters have, however, criticised Chimombo for his obsession with the snaky myth just as his Chanco colleague Jack Mapanje is synonymous with detention writings.

But Chimombo says his writings cut across a wide range of topics, including social political themes.

So far, he has published over 29 books in form of poems, novels, plays and anthologies.

Apart from Napolo Poems, his offerings include The Hyena Wears Darkness (2006), The Bird Boy’s Song (2002), Wrath of Napolo (2000), Napolo and the Python (1994), Python! Python! An Epic Poem (1992), The Basket Girl (1990), Wachiona Ndani? (1983) and The Rainmaker (1981).

Born on September 4 1945 in Zomba, he was educated at Zomba Catholic Secondary School before enrolling with Chanco for a Bachelor of Arts Degree.

He got his master’s and doctorate degrees at Columbia University in the United States of America. He is married to Moira.

 

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