A showcase of indigenous publishing

The Zimbabwe International Book Fair has announced the list of Zimbabwe's 75 best books of the 20th century. The list (presented below) is divided into the country's three languages – English, Shona and Ndebele – with the judges highlighting the top five books in each of the three categories.

The list is also a showcase for indigenous publishing in Africa with a majority of the books having been published by Zimbabwean companies, including Baobab Books, Zimbabwe Publishing House, College Press and Mambo Press. It is not unusual for indigenous publishing houses to publish indigenous languages, but in Zimbabwe's case even a majority of the English-language books were first published in Zimbabwe. Many were subsequently published by multinational publishers, which also appear on the list, such as Penguin and Heinemann. Even in the English section, Heinemann originally published three of the 25 books – and all three before 1980 –  which is evidence that Heinemann's decision to end its African Writers' Series in 2003 was not as dire an event as many commentators implied.

Charles Mungoshi, one of Zimbabwe's top writers, has seven books in the list, four in the English category and three in Ndebele. Heading the list for the Shona category is Ndabaningi Sithole, whose fame has more to do with his political aspirations under the regime of Ian Smith than Umvukela WaMaNdebele (AmaNdebele KaMzilikazi), a title published in 1956 by Longman.

The earliest book in the list is from 1956 and while the list is intended to be representative of the country's literature of the 20th century, the lack of books in the first half of the century is an indictment of the restriction of educational and publishing opportunities in colonial Zimbabwe.

One gap in the list which is slightly disconcerting is the lack of information in the Ndebele category. While both English and Shona sections have the category of book provided, there are many gaps in classification of the Ndebele category. (Note: This list is reproduced from the website of the Zimbabwe International Book Fair).

Now that the list has been announced, the next challenge of the ZIBF is to turn this celebration of Zimbabwean literature into a marketing tool, such that these books are republished, and not just in Zimbabwe. Few of these books are available outside Zimbabwe, even though four of the English category titles are also in the list of Africa's 100 best books and one of the titles, Nervous Conditions, is being published by Ayebia later in 2004.

AUTHOR TITLE PUBLISHER CATEGORY SEX YEAR
ENGLISH CATEGORY
Mungoshi, Charles One Day Long Ago Baobab Books Children M 1991
Hove, Chenjerai Bones Baobab Books Novel M 1990
Marechera, Dambudzo House of Hunger Heinemann Short Story M 1978
Dangarembga, Tsitsi Nervous Conditions ZPH Novel F 1988
Vera, Yvonne Butterfly Burning Baobab Books Novel F 1988
+++++ +++++ +++++ +++++ + +
Stephen, Alumenda The Boy Who Made Cars Macmillan Education Books Children M 2000
Chihota, Clement & Mponde, Robert (Eds) No More Plastic Balls College Press Short Story 2000
Chinodya, Shimmer Harvest of Thorns Baobab Books Novel M 1989
Gumbo, Mafuranhunz Guerilla Snuff Baobab Books Novel M 1995
Kanengoni, Alexander Echoing Silences Baobab Books Novel M 1993
Katiyo, Wilson A Son Of the Soil Penguin Novel M 1976
Mfuka, Ken Matters of Conscience Mambo Press Novel M 1999
Muchemwa, Kizito (Ed) Zimbabwean Poetry in English Mambo Press Poetry 1978
Mukonoweshuro, Sharai Days of Silence Wonderbook Publishers Children F 2000
Mungoshi, Charles Waiting for the Rain ZPH Novel M 1975
Mungoshi, Charles Walking Still Baobab Books Short Story M 1994
Mungoshi, Charles Coming of the Dry Season ZPH Short Story M 1981
Musengezi, Gonzo H The Honourable MP Mambo Press Play M 1984
Nyamubaya, Freedom On the Road Again ZPH Poetry F
Nyamufukudza, Stanley Non-Believer's Journey ZPH Novel M 1980
Samkange, Stanlake On Trial for my Country Heinemann Novel M 1966
Samkange, Stanlake The Mourned One Heinemann Novel M 1975
Samupindi, Charles Pawns Baobab Books Novel M 1992
Zimunya, Musayemura Country Dawns & City Lights Longman Poetry M 1985
Zimunya Musayemura & Kadhani Mudereri (Eds) And Now the Poets Speak Mambo Press Poetry M 1986
NDEBELE CATEGORY
Sithole, Ndabaningi Umvukela WaMaNdebele (AmaNdebele KaMzilikazi) Longman Novel M 1956
Ndlovu, Bernard D Laphuma Elinye Lingakatshoni College Press 1999
Mpofu, Isaac N Wangithembisa Lami Mambo Press M 1972
Ncube, Bekithemba S Lokhu Akungeke Kwenzeke Longman 1998
Khumalo, G N S ULobhengula kaMzilikazi KaMatshobane Longman 1987
+++++ +++++ +++++ +++++ + +
Hleza Ezekiel S K Uyangisinda Lumhlaba Mambo Press M 1991
Khiyaza Geshom Ukuthunjwa KukaSukuzukuduma Mambo Press M 1978
Literature Bureau (Ed) Ezivusa Usinga Mambo Press 1989
Literature Bureau (Ed) Izigigaba Zempi Yenkululeko Mambo Press 1984
Mahlangu, Peter Umthwakazi Longman M 1957
Makhalisa, Barbara Umendo Mambo Press F 1977
Mathema ,Cain Ginyilitshe Ulimi Lwami College Press M 1998
Mele, Robert N Impi Mambo Press M 1987
Mhlanga, Cont Nansi Le Ndoda Longman Play M 1989
Mlilo, Sithembile O Lifile Mambo Press F 1975
Mnkandla, Sibongile midlalo Lengoma Zabantwana Literature F 1992
Mpofu, Isaac N Izenzo Zabantu Longman M 1985
Ndebele, James P Uthando Alulamgoqo Longman M 2000
Ndlovu, Elkana M Inhlamvu Zasengodlweni Mambo Press M 1972
Ndlovu, Bernard D Akwaziwa Okwanonisa Ingulube College Press Children M 2000
Ndlovu, Israel Sivela Kude Mambo Press M 1993
Ndlovu, Doris Kusasa Kuyizolo Longman F 1980
Ngwenya, Mthandazo Ndema Ilifa Lidliwa Ngumninilo Mambo Press M 1982
Sibanda, Mayford Umbiko KaMadlenya Mambo Press M 1981
Sigogo, Ndabezinhle Umhlaba Umangele Mambo Press M 1984
SHONA CATEGORY
Chirikure, Chirikure Hakurarwi Baobab Poetry 1998
Mungoshi, Charles Ndiko Kupindana Kwemazuva Mambo Press Novel M 1978
Mutasa, Nobert Misodzi Dikita Neropa Mambo Press Novel M 1990
Mutswairo, Solomon Feso Oxford University Press Novel M 1956
Tsodzo, Kumbirai Pafunge Longman Novel 1972
+++++ +++++ +++++ +++++ + +
Chakaipa, Patrick Dzasukwa Mwana Asina Hembe Longman Novel M 1967
Chakaipa, Patrick Garandichauya Longman Novel M 1963
Chakamba, Robert VaForomani Juta Play M 1996
Chigidi, Willie Kwaingovawo Kuedza Mhanza College Press Play M 1989
Choto, Ray Vavariro Baobab Books Novel M 1990
College Press (Ed) Tipeiwo Dariro College Press Poetry 1997
Hamutyinei, Mordekai Kusasana Kunoparira Longman Novel M 1975
Hodza, Aaron Ugo Hwamadzinza AvaShona Longman Poetry 1974
Mabasa, Ignatius Mapenzi College Press Novel M 1999
Magwa, Wiseman Njuzu Mambo Press Play 1991
Manyimbiri, Felix Mudzimu Wakupe Chironda Mambo Press Novel M 1991
Marangwanda, John Kumaziva Ndadzoka Longman Novel M 1959
Moyo, Aaron Chiundura Ziva Kwawakabva Longman Novel M 1977
Mukonoweshuro, Sharai Ndakagara Ndazviona ZPH Novel F 1990
Mungoshi, Charles Kunyarara Hakusi Kutaura ZPH Novel M 1975
Mungoshi, Charles Inongova Njake Njake Longman Play M 1981
Musengezi, Chiedza (Ed) Masimba Zimbabwe Women Writers Poetry F 1999
Mutasa, Nobert Nhume Yamambo Mambo Press Novel M 1990
Mutswairo, Solomon Mbuya Muderere Oxford UniversityPress Children 1967
Simango, Joyce Zviuya Zviri Mberi Longman Novel F 1974

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