TSITSI Dangarembga, the renowned Zimbabwean author and literary pioneer, was honoured with the prestigious Africa Freedom Prize in Johannesburg on Thursday. The award is bestowed upon individuals who have demonstrated remarkable courage and unwavering commitment to advancing the causes of freedom, democracy, and human rights across the African continent.
Dangarembga, celebrated for her groundbreaking literary works, has long been a revered figure in Zimbabwean literature. Her journey began with her critically acclaimed debut novel, Nervous Conditions, in 1988, followed by her Booker Prize-shortlisted work, This Mournable Body, in 2020.
Tinashe Mushakavanhu, a research fellow specialising in Zimbabwean literature at the University of Oxford, lauded Dangarembga’s role in shaping the modern literary canon. He emphasised her historic achievement as the first Black Zimbabwean woman to publish a novel in English, with Nervous Conditions earning its place among the best African books of the 20th century.
Dangarembga’s remarkable contributions have not gone unnoticed globally. The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, an organisation promoting liberal politics and democracy worldwide, has bestowed upon her their highest honour. Additionally, in 2021, she was the recipient of the PEN International Award for Freedom of Expression.
Beyond her literary prowess, Dangarembga has garnered attention for her active involvement in political activism. Last year, at the age of 64, she faced a conviction in a Zimbabwean court on charges of ‘inciting violence’ following a peaceful protest alongside a friend. The protest involved them silently holding placards advocating for political reform. However, this conviction was overturned earlier this year by a higher court.
When asked if she considers herself a political writer, Dangarembga expressed her perspective, stating, ‘I don’t conceive of myself as an activist writer. I conceive of myself as a person who has a story to tell, and my story has an intention. My intention is to tell stories in which Zimbabweans can see themselves reflected. And I think that is important for the well-being of the individual — to understand the complexities of the lives they are living and the challenges, and to possibly point to possible solutions. And I think when individuals are able to engage in that process, it leads to the health of the nation.’
The political landscape in Zimbabwe has seen significant changes since gaining independence in 1980, with the long-lasting rule of Robert Mugabe followed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s tenure marked by economic challenges and dissent crackdowns.
Notably, the Africa Freedom Prize has been previously awarded to prominent figures like Nigerian novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Danai Mupotsa, a senior lecturer in African literature at Johannesburg’s Witwatersrand University, observed a growing spotlight on female African writers over the past decade. She suggests this trend signifies a shift in the publishing world, with more work by African women writers being embraced and celebrated.