HARARE - Writers will converge at the Zimbabwe Film and Television School of Southern Africa (Ziftessa) in Harare on Saturday to elect a new Zimbabwe Writers Association (Zwa) board.
The writers’ body, which was formed three years ago, is currently headed by a committee that includes veteran poet and University of Zimbabwe lecturer Musaemura Zimunya who chairs the organisation, former Zimbabwe Women Writers (ZWW) director Eresina Hwede (deputy chair) and poet/journalist Tinashe Muchuri (secretary).
Other members of the outgoing committee are prominent motivational writer and speaker Beatrice Sithole (treasurer), historian Karukai Ratsauka (resource mobiliser), poet/journalist Dakarai Mashava (deputy secretary) and prolific writer Memory Chirere (committee member).
According to the notice for the elective Annual General Meeting (AGM) signed by Muchuri, the ZWA secretary, only paid up members will be allowed to cast their votes at Ziftessa which is located at 57 Mazowe Street.
“Members are being reminded to update their membership fees. To ensure that all willing members get the chance to vote, the ZWA board will allow members who settle their dues on the day of the AGM to participate in the electoral process,” said Muchuri.
The ZWA secretary general said the board of the nationally inclusive writers’ organisation would like to see more writers getting involved selecting those who will take charge of their affairs for the next three years.
“The AGM is an elective one that will vote for a new ZWA board. The AGM is not meant to rubber stamp the existing board.”
Muchuri added that according to the ZWA constitution, members of the current board would be eligible for re-election but only for one consecutive term.
ZWA, an umbrella organisation for all willing Zimbabwean writers’ groups formed in July 2010, holds regular meetings of Zimbabwean writers which provide platforms for Zimbabwean writers to discuss issues affecting them.
The major objective of the writers’ organisation is to encourage creative writing, reading and publishing in all forms possible, conduct workshops, and facilitate literary discussions.