Poet calls for collaborations to fulfil dream

UP-AND-COMING poet Nicholas “Sabau Chigumbura” Nhire’s bid to share his 150 unpublished poems with the world has remained a pie in the sky due to lack of a partner to help produce his debut anthology.

In book publishing, an anthology is a collection of literary works chosen by a compiler that might be a collection of plays, poems, short stories, songs or excerpts by different writers.

Nhire told NewsDay Life & Style that publishing houses told him that it was not procedural to publish a poetry book authored by a single writer.

“I have about 150 unpublished poems and Mambo Press told me that I cannot write a poetry anthology alone, but efforts to look for other writers to work with have been fruitless as people in my area do not have the writing skills and I have no exposure to established writers,” he said.

“I was given examples of books such as Mabvumira eNhetembo, which has poems written by different authors. I am still looking for three or four writers to work with. Lack of exposure has affected me very much. If there are any who can join hands with me, they are free to contact me.”

Nhire said he was working hard to complete his novel Uchazvidemba, which chronicles what is happening in society as he waits for partners for the anthology.

“My other challenge is that people here (Kimcot Farm, Beatrice) don’t appreciate my work. Last year, I recited a poem called Kuroodzwa Kwevana Vachiri Vadiki, which denounces child marriages and some started to hate me for that. I was, however, not stopped by their negative thinking. I will continue to speak out, denouncing what is wrong,” he said. “Through my works, I also speak against domestic violence, and people try to stop me, but I refuse to be clogged. Despite the negative energy towards my work and myself, I believe that one day I will make headlines.” He said writing was a gift from God which he discovered in 1992 when he was doing his primary education at Gwarusira Primary School in Makoni district, Manicaland province.

“It’s not like I adopted or borrowed this talent, but it’s within my blood. It was deposited by God for me to teach the nation through poetry. I discovered this talent when I was in Grade 2. I grew up in remote areas, but I didn’t give up,” he said.

Other poems he is sitting on include Toringepi, Ndiyeka Paidamoyo, Mugoni Wepwere, Muramu Muramu Chete and Ishe Pindirai Kani, which is dedicated to fighting coronavirus.