27th of May 2023 Goethe institute-Nairobi saw the launch of an East African multilingual anthology, The Heart Is A Bastard ( Moyo ni Mwanaharamu ); and at WSA-Kenya this was a rather momentous happening as one of our own, Nyasili Atetwe , the Writers Space Africa Kenyan chapter coordinator was among the phenomenal writers featured in the book.
The publication was a result of a one-week July 2022 residency which had brought together thirteen East African writers, that write in both English and Kiswahili, facilitated by the University of East Anglia with renowned Zimbabwean writer and Filmmaker Tsitsi Dangaremba being one of the notable instructors. The writers featured alongside Nyasili were Kenyan’s Maureen Waithaka, Gladwell Pamba, Julius M Chiwaya, Jibril Adam, Misigo Daniel Mwanzu, Fatma Shafii, Ruth Nyadzua ; Ugandan’s Charlie Muhumza, Joanita Kente, Precious Kemigisha, and Tanzanians Noella Moshi and Sia Chami, with the distinguished Elias Mutani and Zukiswa Wanner being the editors.
The launch also attracted a fray of book lovers and Literary fanatics with members of the WSA-K not left behind as well ; the likes of Amanda Nechesa , Sheila Ngei , Frank Njugi, Brainy O’Bee and Esther Musembi all were present in support of their leader.
Also in attendance was the deputy coordinator Rose Kinyajui, who had the following to say regarding Nyasili’s achievement ;
‘Our objective as a group is to grow writers who can express themselves freely through their literary works in different genres. We celebrate each others successes in all ways possible so that we are encouraged to keep writing. As we celebrate our country’s coordinator in this anthology launch, it’s a call on to all our members that even your leaders are working towards becoming better writers”
A sentiment also ushered by Nyasili himself while also adding how grateful he was to everyone who showed up;
“This decent crowd of books enthusiasts turned up and that was a good feeling; it made the launch as success that it was”
This is one achievement everyone at WSA-K is really cherry about and can only hope to the members it serves as a call to go out there and try pushing the boulder of literary success as well….
Go go Nyasili. You’re an inspiration to many through your writing!
Thank you Pinky