Poet Q Malewezi is set to release three of his projects that focus on a memoir, a children’s book and a stage production.
Malewezi, who is also special presidential adviser on creative industries, announced this on his Facebook page.
“It was inspired by events that happened when my father died. I started to write about the series of events that happened leading to his death. Initially, it was going to be for keeping the story alive for my children and nieces,” he said.
Malawezi also said the memoir has been developed in a way that apart from talking about the initial impact of loss, it includes a professional commentary to help people navigate their journey through after loss.
“Grief is a mental heal issue
and I want to get on people who understand these issues on an in-depth level of these issues,” he said.
According to the poet, the children’s book titled My Malawi teaches children about the country
and the different aspects of it including the history, culture, flag and the land.
“It is a straightforward basic book. I have created children’s characters in the book who will do the narration. They are based on the Malawian ethnic backgrounds. I did this because a lot of children who go to private schools are losing touch because of foreign curriculum,” he said.
On stage production, Malewezi said it is a “series of monologue titled Fisi inspired by the folktale figure of the hyena who does widow cleansing to discussing societal issues that are rarely discussed”.
He said the main casts are Fisi, a young widow and Fisi’s wife.
“It is a project that I believe will spark conversations and make us reflect on our culture, its role and the future of how deeply we should hold our cultural values, traditions and rituals,” said the poet.
After Malewezi posted the news, a fan Chrissy Makasa said that with rising cases of mental health challenges, she hopes that the memoir will help many people.
“This is unique and much needed. [I am], looking forward to the release,” she said.
Another fan, Elina Mkandawire said children need to understand their history and culture.
She applauded Malewezi for the development and called on parents to encourage their children to read the book once it is out
