The African literary community is rejoicing as Malawian writer Temwani Mgunda, the esteemed winner of the 2022 African Writers Award in Poetry, is now set to embark on a transformative residency in South Africa. Temwani Mgunda has established himself as one of Malawi’s most prolific creative writers, with an impressive array of published works both locally and internationally. His powerful short story, “And Silence Returned,” was featured in the PEN Malawi anthology “Death of an Idea” in 2019, while his evocative piece, “A Dance in the Dark,” found a home in the Pan African Writers Association anthology “Voices that Sing Behind the Veil” in 2022. Furthermore, Mgunda’s poem, “The Slums of Mbayani,” emerged victorious in the poetry category of the 2022 African Writers Award, solidifying his reputation as an exceptional poetic voice.
Mgunda’s literary contributions have not gone unnoticed within Malawi’s educational system either. Several of his poems and short stories have been incorporated into the country’s secondary school literature syllabus, enriching the minds of young readers and future writers. Beyond his literary endeavours, Mgunda has made significant contributions as a journalist and teacher of English and History. He served as the Literary Arts Editor for The Sunday Times and Malawi News, both publications owned by the Times Group in Malawi. Additionally, he has twice been a judge for the Malawi Writers Union’s annual short story writing competition. Currently, Mgunda holds the position of Regional Editor (East Africa) at China Dialogue, a London-based platform renowned for publishing articles and policy briefs on environmental, energy, and climate change issues. He is also among the panel of judges for the 2023 African Writers Awards.
In recognition of Mgunda’s talent and potential, the esteemed PEN Malawi and Jakes Gerwel Foundation have extended a coveted invitation to him. The invitation letter confirms his participation in the PEN Malawi / Jakes Gerwel Foundation 2023 Residency, scheduled to take place from June 5 to 25, 2023, at the Jakes Gerwel Foundation’s Paulet Writers House in Somerset East, South Africa. This highly anticipated residency will provide Mgunda with a nurturing and inspiring environment, allowing him to dedicate focused time to his writing and engage in meaningful exchanges with fellow writers.
As news of Temwani Mgunda’s success spreads across the African literary community, anticipation builds for the remarkable literary works that will undoubtedly emerge from his residency experience. We wish Mgunda the very best.
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