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By Chimeno Azriel
A Bulawayo-based poet launched his debut poetry book which carries heavy and acceptable messages that leave the reader with a life-changing mindset.
Mr. Fortune Munsaka, who released his 43 Poetry novel and his collection announced his arrival on the literary scene with a soul searching collection.
The launch was done virtually and was attended by prominent authors and academics. The Guest of Honour during the Launch was Dr. Phillip Kundeni Chidavaenzi who is the Writers Clinic Founder and has been mentoring Fortune for the past 5 years.
Dr. Chidavaenzi praised the author and said that the birthing of the book has marked the growth of literary canon that is both to Zimbabweans and the World literature.
The award-winning poet released the poetry collection which reflects the harsh life experiences which he encountered and some from shared experiences from society.
In an interview, Fortune said that the book reveals the avoidable making of an outcast and the less considered fact of his feelings.
“The collection of poems is based on my actual life experiences and some from the society and it reveals the avoidable making of the outcast in any society,” said Fortune.
He continued by saying that he is, but one of the pariahs exiled by the only society they know. His debut book tackles many social issues that deal with women’s empowerment. He touches on other issues such as child abuse, political mindset, drug abuse, love, positivity, health awareness and Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
“I tried to touch almost every issue that happens in the society. In the book, I made sure that I have something on love, health issues, Gender-Based Violence, drug abuse, child abuse so that whoever gets hold of the copy will benefit from the poems,” said Fortune who is an international attested Ambassador of Peace and Human Rights – a recognition from World Literary Forum for Peace and Human Rights and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The collection of poems evokes emotions from the viewpoint of anyone who will have a glimpse of the copy.
According to Fortune, some of the poems to look forward to include “To Be, That’s The Answer”, “I Am A woman”, “They Died Not All, But All Were Struck”, ” When We Die We Go To Pizza”, “If Only Stones Could Speak”, ” How long oh Lord” among others in a 43 packed poem collection.
According to the author, the book affirms life, purpose, and identity against a climate of alienation, and also his emancipatory threads weave in and out of his personal struggles.
“In the collection, I dwelt much on my experiences and also of women, the society, poor children where there are voices that refuse to be ignored. He said the book breathes the tormented lives of many and its words carry hope, love, and cry for togetherness.
Born in Binga 27 years ago, Fortune, a teacher by profession, attended Mqabuko Nkomo High School and later United College of Education for a Diploma in Education. Fortune is the winning poet and has participated in writing contests and has featured in various papers.
Fortune coaches young writers under his creation “Creative Minds Alive Initiative.”
STRANGER THREADS was published in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe by Underclass Books and Films with Onai Mushava the director who alludes that, Fortune has proved to be a gentle giant, attentive and understated legion of his environment.
During the launch, the highest bid for the book was US$20. Among those who attended the launch were great poet Nishant Vaidya, United College of Education Lecturers led by Principal Professor A. Luthuli, and all the Creative Mind Alive members.
