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| Entertainment |
| Writers union ushers in new president |
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by
Chisomo Kachapila, 16 July 2004
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14:33:43
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The story of Sambalikagwa Mvona as the man holding the reigns of Malawi Writers Union (Mawu) ended on Sunday when 48 members of the union voted to replace him with the youthful blood of 28-year-old Stanley Onjezani Kenani.
Kenani takes over Mawu’s presidency from the man who, despite being dealt a second blow (he lost in the primary and parliamentary elections for Blantyre Rural East to Henry Phoya), is respected for his contributions to the union.
“Mvona has been president for a long time with due credit to his achievements. But I think it was time, as in any democracy, to have a new face with a new set of ideas, philosophy and sense of direction,” said Kenani in an interview from his Lilongwe base.
Mvona is credited with increasing membership of the union from 46 members 400. He was also instrumental in the acquisition of a physical address (two offices in New Building Society House in Limbe), and two cars for the union.
While his predecessor accumulated all this with the help of donors, especially Norwergians, Kenani intends to run away from the donor-dependency syndrome.
“I would like to come up with an art magazine that should be out by October. It will be high quality and will be printed and designed in South Africa,” said Kenani.
If the magazine raises a lot of money, Kenani who is an accountant for Lilongwe Waterboard, intends to invest in Treasury Bills.
He also sees himself pushing for the establishment of a National Arts Council.
“For God’s sake, we have the National Youth Council and the National Sports Council but none for the arts,” he complained.
With inspiration from Malawian writers Willie Zingani and the late Jolly Max Ntaba, writing came naturally for Kenani but because of difficulties to survive on the arts alone in the country, he pursued some of his mathematical interests in accountancy.
He says he hopes to see Malawian writers participating in international competitions.
A writer of note himself, Kenani will soon be off to Italy to write his novel book ‘The Auditor.’
With time already ticking away for him, we can only hope that he does as he says.
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