IHRAM Writivism Campaigner Mbizo Chirasha speaks to UK-Based Zimbabwean Prolific Artist/Writer Masimba Musodza

MC: Tell us more about  Masimba Musodza , a Zimbabwean Writer in the Diaspora?
MM: I was born the eldest of a family of five, four boys and a girl.  The musician/actor Kenny Mandebvu (real name Tawanda Musodza) is my youngest sibling. Australian actress/model Faro (real name Rufaro Musodza) is a first cousin. I went to Avondale Primary School in Harare, and St Mary Magdalene's High School in Nyanga, then I studied film making at the now defunct Vision Valley Institute, specializing in Screenwriting. I write fiction, screenplays and essays. I also ghostwrite, edit and proofread. I contribute frequently to the Times Of Israel as a blogger, and to Sticks & Stones, which is the premier Black British interest magazine in the North East of England. I am a panelist, many Zimbabweans might remember me on The Thunderbolt Show on Zimonline Radio about a decade ago. I have become a regular participant at the annual Festival of the Battle For Ideas, which is the UK's premier debate event. I have appeared in several film and TV productions, and commercials. My hobbies and interests include reading, travelling, linguistics, comparative religion, music, film, history. I am a Rastafarian from my teen years, hence the long hair and beard! I am married to Sikhanyisile Gumpo, who also writes,  and we have a son, Samuel. I am a Freemason (Vulcan Lodge 4510). I am also a member of various literary and cultural organisations, locally and internationally. Favourite food: Ethiopian and Middle Eastern.

MC: When did you leave Zimbabwe and What Projects have you been doing ?
MM: I left Zimbabwe in 2002. At the moment, I have a ghostwriting project for a client in Europe, a huge editing job for another European client, manuscripts for three novels, two screenplays and pre-production work for a movie I am going to have a supporting role in. 

MC: You got great ideas and  powerful writing , where do you draw your inspiration?
MM: My inspiration comes from a lot of sources. I read widely, my circle of friends is drawn from diverse backgrounds, and I travel. 

MC: How many books have you written?
MM: I have published five, I think. But I have written perhaps ten times that number.

MC: We all know that you got some writings published in various journals , can you mention some?
MM: I have over 40 pieces of fiction published all over the world. I would begin with 'The New Generation,' which was a magazine for school children in Zimbabwe, and the St Mary Magdalene (Nyanga) High School Magazine. I've been published in Trends Magazine (Zimbabwe), The Mosi-oa-Tunya Review (Zimbabwe), Omenana (Nigeria),  Agbowó Magazine (Nigeria), Bookends (Jamaica) Blue Marble (Canada) Lolwe (Kenya), the other side of hope (UK), Savage Planets (UK), The Manchester Review (UK) The Galactic Sweatshop e-Zine (Italy), AfroSFv3 (Sweden) and Jungle Jim (South Africa)

MC: Have you ever written anything  on creative justice and aspects of human rights?
MM: Yes. I embed poignant themes in what appears to be on the surface a story of fantasy. In the novel MunaHacha Maive Nei?, I hinted at the spectre of the weaponisation of food security. In Shavi Rechikadzi, the complexity of sexual violence and the justice system.  

MC: Can you tell us what you know about free expression  and free speech?
MM: I am a staunch advocate for free speech. I am a member of the Free Speech Union and also Don't Divide Us, which advocates for the protection of free speech in the face of divisive identity politics. Politically, I am a Classical Liberal, and believe that it is not good for the state to police the speech and thoughts of citizens. So, I deplore "hate speech laws," no matter how well-intentioned those who seek their enactment may be.

MM: Do you think the Zimbabwe book industry is still vibrant , if not what do you think is the cause?
MM: There is much room for improvement in the Zimbabwe book industry. One of the most obvious ailments of the industry is the lack of whole swathes of specialist sectors. Where are the book promoters, the agents, the literary critics, you know, all the people that make different aspects of the industry happen? Another disease is the tendency to create cliques or mutual admiration societies, usually around a figure of note in the western publishing industry. We need to see an effort by Zimbabweans to discover and develop talent and take it to the world, instead of the other way round as is the case at the moment. 

MC: Where do  we see you in the next five  years
MM: I will be churning out more work. 

MC: Did you win any awards , if so  mention  the awards  and organisations that awarded you?
MM: I was named Writer of the Year at the Zimbabwe Music and Arts Awards (ZIMAA) in 2011. I was also on the list of Ten Best Writers from Zimbabwe by Culture Trip in 2016.

Masimba Musodza was born in Zimbabwe, but has lived much of his adult life in the United Kingdom, settling in the North East England town of Middlesbrough. His short fiction, mostly on the speculative fiction genre spectrum has appeared in anthologies and periodicals around the world and online. He has published two novels and a novella in ChiShona, his native language, and a collection of short stories in English. He also writes for motion picture and various periodicals.