What inspires you to write poetry?

Life events are a great inspiration to me. As a public administrator, I work with people of diverse characters and sentiments, people of different educational backgrounds and leadership positions. This allows me to see life, behaviours and decisions from different angles. It tickles a lot of ideas in me and stirs me to write all the time. 

How does it make you feel to be part of a published anthology?

It is very fulfilling to share pages with other writers. It makes me feel like I belong to a family that connects with me, a family of writers. 

Do you face any challenges as a Zimbabwean woman poet?

The first people I have connected with in this industry are male writers and it has really been hard creating relationships with women writers. I wouldn’t guess the cause, but you’d think it would be easier to partake in a journey with your own gender, as you naturally understand each other and connect. I wish women in this industry to support each other more and cheer each other on as one. 

Briefly describe your writing journey, from how you started to where you are today.

I grew up a loner and all I did was write things down, those that made me happy, nervous or sad. Paper was the friend I told what I was to tell any human. So I had numerous works, and as I grew, my eyes opened wider, giving me more to deliberate and write on. After college I took writing more seriously and the Covid-19 lockdown connected me with many writers, and the more I interacted with them, the more I grew as a writer. Since then, it has been a real learning journey, thanks to the support and mentorship I have been getting from other established writers. I started featuring in local newspapers and had my first collection of poems published in 2022. It has been a challenging experience, but I realise I am growing with each publication, and I hope to work and connect more as I grow on this journey.

How do you want your work to be remembered?

I do not want my work to be only a work of fiction, but truth blended in art. I want to unapologetically unravel unsaid truths as I strive to rewrite narratives. 

Would you like to share anything about yourself to help your readers connect with you?

I have seen a woman suffer and I have a lot I wish she could have said to give herself joy and peace. Therefore, in me rises a rage for issues of women I wish the world could listen to, so we are a safer place for this gender. 

Who is your favourite poet and why?

The late South African poet, Don Mattera remains my favourite. In his works, he picked regular social ills that we often overlook and would speak them to power through poetry. I also love the works of Memory Chirere, Samantha Vazhure and Tanaka Chidora. Their command of language, so unquestionable in speaking truths, is a real inspiration. 

What are your future writing aspirations?

As a writer I do not want to write for the people in my circles only, so it’s a dream come true to write and connect with different lives and diverse communities. I want my work to be far-reaching and life changing.

What is your biggest dream?

I have always thought of it this way, “How beautiful would it be if this world’s stories were told from a woman’s voice as the mother of creation?” I desire so much to see a woman’s voice matter, steering debate and decisions.