Early this year, the Malawi Writers Union (Mawu) introduced new office-bearers to run the organisation for the next five years. One of its key projects has been to promote the dwindling reading culture and extend membership of the organisation. Our arts editor EDITH GONDWE caught up with Mawu’s public relations officer Chifuniro E. Banda to discuss this and more Excerpts:
Q: May you introduce yourself please?
A: I am Chifuniro E. Banda, the public relations officer of Malawi Writers Union since December 2024. I am responsible for promoting Mawu and its activities and act as Mawu’s interface with the media and the public.
| Chifuniro Banda
Q: Since the new committee leading Mawu took over, what are some of the key projects that Mawu is currently pursuing?
A: Our flagship activity has been the launch of the Mawu 2025 Prize, which has received massive feedback in terms of quantity of entrants and quality of works. One unique thing about it is that we considered both the general as well as the students’ categories to be as inclusive as possible. Shortly, we shall be announcing the shortlisted. We also sent about 10 writers to Lusaka, Zambia, for a workshop in April 2025. We have revived our media presence and are gaining members each day.
But we have also continued and made sure that all the activities that previous committees started were not stalled but progressed. Among others, we have awarded students who took part in writing on natural disasters in the Northern and Southern regions. We have also collaborated with the Visual Art Association of Malawi to train pupils in Zomba on who to write and tell their stories.
Q: One of the key challenges with writing in Malawi is that it has little audience as the reading culture is not big. What are you doing about this?
A: Firstly, it is to make sure that we don’t lose the small audience that are bookworms or read for pleasure. We are making sure through our platforms that they know of any new publications from a Malawi writer and/or publishers. Secondly, we are also impressing upon our writers to embrace new ways of storytelling, which speaks to those who are slowly losing interest in reading or prefer reading short write-up in digital form. We encourage them to employ such tactics, which in the long run draws the audience to their works.
Q: For your members to be effective and benefit from the association, what are some of the incentives?
A: We are so committed to providing a network forum for writers and ensuring that there is equal promotion and safeguarding of the intellectual rights and materials that were invented or produced in Malawi. Also, we act as a link between the publishers with the government and any other international organisation or agency having in the same manner the promotion of culture and literature. Members are provided with sensitisation campaigns and meetings and are ensured of the promotion of their literacy and literary activities.
Q: At the moment how big is Mawu membership?
A: The membership is categorised. We think of ourselves as a Union with almost 800 people [which comprises of all who have ever been a member before and college affiliates]. Otherwise, for this year, so far, 150 writers gave paid up their annual membership – something which is unprecedented.
Q: So you have any final remarks before we wind up?
A: I would urge all writers – budding and established to associate themselves with Malawi Writers Union by becoming members that we speak the same language and walk together. There are so many activities and programmes lined up to uplift and capacitate Malawi writers from Mawu, and we wouldn’t want to leave anyone behind.
