The story of English literature in Tanzania

 

The story unfolds as I were asking my workmate-“Do you know any Tanzanian Author who had happened to write any English literally work say it novel, poem or fiction”?
-Hardly not! He replied

“I only know those who are eminent in Swahili, the likes of Edwin Semzaba, Ben R Mtobwa and Penina Mhando”-He asserted “But for your grasp there is one maestro Severin Ndunguru an author of ‘’SPARED’’ and ‘’DIVINE PROVIDENCE’’-I started to expound.

‘’A WREATH FOR FR MAYER OF MASASI’’ is perhaps his bestselling novel.

It has been accredited by EMAC (Education Materials Approval Committee) under the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training to be a reader for 3rd and 4th form in Secondary school.

He usually affix both his local Nyasa and seminary background to create unforgettable stories, well crafted and well written.

His fast moving and gripping stories always addresses timeless issues which faces adolescent time and again as they take their first steps from childhood platonic intimacies into the larger world of adult relationships.

There is also newly minted one Juma Mwamgwirani. His first novel ‘’THE CHOICE’’ has become a winner in Burt Award for African Literature. The Burt Award specifically recognizes excellence in young adult fiction from African countries.

It supports the writing and publication of high quality, culturally, relevant books and ensures their distribution to schools and libraries to help develop young people’s literacy skills and foster their love of reading.

The Burt Award is generously sponsored by Canadian philanthropist, Bill Burt and is part of the ongoing literacy programs of the Children’s Book Project for Tanzania, and of CODE, a Canadian NGO supporting development through education for over 50 years.

Unmistakably English is quite a problem to most Tanzanians. Its inaccessible is obvious.

With the case of Kiswahili, no doubt it is a different story. Matter of factly suggest that Kiswahili literature is much popular than English.
Incomparably these gentlemen have shown us a way forward with their exquisite literally works.
Kudos to them!