When we look back at 2019, the glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel that the Zambian literary sector has been yearning for shone brighter. In comparison to previous years, a lot has taken place in the sector, and this is the rundown of what took place throughout the year.

Books Released
Dambisa Moyo has been holding the mantle down when it comes to non-fiction on the international scene, her most recent being Edge of Chaos published in 2018. On the fiction front, there was a dry spell, that was until The Old Drift by Namwali Serpell arrived in March 2019. The epic novel has received praise from the likes of Salman Rashdie (author of Midnight’s Children) who wrote a glowing review in The New York Times. The Old Drift has also made countless Best of 2019 lists such as Time Magazine, Amazon, Kirkus, Atlantic and The New York Times. The family saga which spans three generations was long awaited ever since Namwali won the 2015 Caine Prize for African Writing for ‘The Sack’. Another novel to hit the shelves was The Mourning Bird by Mubanga Kalimamukwento. This debut novel tells the tale of an orphaned girl growing up in the streets and finding the strength to survive.

Despite the two notable books, over 100 books have been published by Zambian Writers, mostly self-published. The bulk of the books are in the non-fiction category, primarily self-help. There haven’t been many poetry books released with on three published.

The Awards

In March, Mubanga Kalimamukwento won the Dinaane Debut Fiction Award in South Africa, which led to the subsequent publication of The Mourning Bird by Jacana Media. Mubanga’s stellar year continued with her winning the Kalemba Short Story Prize with the story ‘Inswa’ and being shortlisted for the Bristol Short Story Prize for ‘The Devil’s Ivy’. Another winner was Mbozi Haimbe whose story Madam’s Sister was Africa’s regional winner for the Commonwealth Short Story Prize. African Writers Award winners were Andrea Matambo and Marjorie Moono Simuyuni in the poetry and children’s literature categories respectively.

Tell Your Own Story Awards were held at the beginning of the year. The Ngoma awards returned in 2019; the awards took place in December. Henry Joe Sakala won The Luka Mwango Award for the Most Outstanding Prose for Khomboni Private Investigator; Esnala Banda won The Gwendoline Chomba Konie Award for the Most Outstanding Poetry for Sketches of Paranoia; Maliya Mzyece Sililo won The Florence Nyondo Award for the Most Outstanding Female Creative Writer for Despite the Bruises and Chishimba M. Lumbwe won The Julius Chongo Award for the Most Outstanding Male Creative Writer for Sundu. There were other writers who made shortlists of various writing awards and competitions.

Tilembe Returned

The Tilembe Literary Festival which was last held in 2017 made a return in 2019. It was held in November at the Lusaka National Museum. It was held over four days and included book launches, workshops, performances and discussions. The festival was organised by various writing groups and associations in the country.

Challenges and Others

On a sad note, Planet Books at Arcades Shopping Centre closed its doors. In its place, however, Bookworld opened another outlet. David Kashiki launched booksonlinezambia.com, which is a website that sells and distributes books on behalf of Zambian writers.

There have been the books clubs that have continued to promote the reading culture some of these clubs are Butali House Book Club, Lusaka Book Club, Global Platform Book Club, Kitana Book Club and others.

Unfortunately, the Kalemba Short Story Prize did not open for applications in 2019. This was due to a planned writing workshop that was supposed to be held before the competition opened. The organisers announced via their Facebook page that the competition will run in 2020.

2019 can be summarised as a stellar year for the literary sector. It has Zambian writers make it in roads on the international scene. The number of books published is also a sign that Zambians are beginning to tell their own stories. There are still challenges in terms of lack of corporate support for the literary sector, marketing and distribution but strides are being made to break down these barriers. One day, that flicker of light at the end of the tunnel will be a ball of sun rays. Congratulations to all the writers who continue to work on their craft, 2020 is yours to conquer.