The Sunday News
Thobekisiwe Gumede Sunday Leisure Reporter
HAILING from the dusty streets of Pelandaba suburb in Bulawayo, Midlands State University’s third year student Richard Mahomva studying towards a degree in Politics and Public Management has decided to share his vision of a united Africa and black emancipation with the world through literature.
Driven by his passion for writing and the need to see African solutions prescribed on African problems, Mahomva has penned his debut book titled “Pan-Africanism from the cradle, the present and the future.”
In an interview, Mahomva expressed confidence that the book is going to help the present and future generations through telling the story of the political history of Africa.
“This book is a manual guideline to the imagined position that Africa must take. It’s written with the young African in mind. The futuristic aspect in it challenges the African youths to begin to correctly position their thoughts in building the African dream. Above all, it equips them to be the true revolutionaries that the future of Africa awaits,” he said.
Mahomva said he chose to write on Pan Africanism because it was relevant in outlining Africa’s political and economic journey.
“The issue of Pan Africanism is neglected in our African societies and I noticed that there are a few books that have been published on that issue world over. What you will find are paper presentations or articles on that so I thought I should write a book addressing the issue of Pan Africanism taking note of its benefits,” he said.
Mahomva said he drew his writing passion from a lonely childhood.
“I drew my inspiration from a solitary childhood. The need to escape the harsh childhood conditions kept me alienated from particular individuals and the surrounding environment.
In writing I found a friend I could share thoughts that are not acceptable to the world. Again the search for a deeper appreciation of my African identity has always been a catalyst to my intellectual orgasm,” he said.
Mahomva said he was grateful for the support he had received from his family.
“My dad has always remained supportive of my academic aspirations. My passion for writing has been warmly received by the family and there has been a collective appreciation to my love for literature. Actually I am encouraged to work harder and seriously contribute in the creation of African knowledge systems,” he said.
Mahomva has also presented papers on Pan Africanism at various international fora. He has participated in the World University debate championships at the University of Nottingham and at the Western Cape. He is currently administering a Pan-Africanist organisation in Bulawayo.
