Charles Mungoshi
Encyclopedia
Charles Lovemore Mungoshi (born 1947) is a writer
from Zimbabwe
.
Mungoshi's works include short stories
and novels in both Shona
and English
. He also writes poetry
, but views it as a "mere finger exercise." He has a wide range, including anti-colonial
writings and children's books. While the colonial regime initially banned his work, he now writes about post-colonial oppression as well. The awards he has won include the Noma Award
in 1992 and the Commonwealth Writers Prize (Africa Region) twice in the years 1988 and 1998. Two of his novels, one in Shona
and the other in English
, both published in 1975, won the International PEN Awards. He is married to an actress, Jesesi Mungoshi, who played in the Zimbabwean film Neria as Neria. He holds an Honorary degree from the University of Zimbabwe
. Mungoshi also took part in some of the local Zimbabwean drama series in the late 80's to early 90's, and played a role in a local drama Ndabvezera which was produced by Aaron Chiundura Moyo. His first Shona novel was Makunungunu Maodzamoyo followed by the English short collection Some Kinds of Wounds, which was banned by the colonial regime. His other Shona novel, Kunyarara Hakusi Kutaura, won several awards and his play Ingongova Njakenjake showed his versatility as a writer.
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
from Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
.
Mungoshi's works include short stories
Short Stories
Short Stories may refer to:*A plural for Short story*Short Stories , an American pulp magazine published from 1890-1959*Short Stories, a 1954 collection by O. E...
and novels in both Shona
Shona language
Shona is a Bantu language, native to the Shona people of Zimbabwe and southern Zambia; the term is also used to identify peoples who speak one of the Shona language dialects: Zezuru, Karanga, Manyika, Ndau and Korekore...
and English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
. He also writes poetry
Poetry
Poetry is a form of literary art in which language is used for its aesthetic and evocative qualities in addition to, or in lieu of, its apparent meaning...
, but views it as a "mere finger exercise." He has a wide range, including anti-colonial
Colonialism
Colonialism is the establishment, maintenance, acquisition and expansion of colonies in one territory by people from another territory. It is a process whereby the metropole claims sovereignty over the colony and the social structure, government, and economics of the colony are changed by...
writings and children's books. While the colonial regime initially banned his work, he now writes about post-colonial oppression as well. The awards he has won include the Noma Award
Noma Award
The Noma Award for Publishing in Africa is a $10,000 prize for outstanding African writers and scholars who publish in Africa. Established in 1979, the award is annual and given to any new book published in three categories: literature, juvenile and scholarly...
in 1992 and the Commonwealth Writers Prize (Africa Region) twice in the years 1988 and 1998. Two of his novels, one in Shona
Shona language
Shona is a Bantu language, native to the Shona people of Zimbabwe and southern Zambia; the term is also used to identify peoples who speak one of the Shona language dialects: Zezuru, Karanga, Manyika, Ndau and Korekore...
and the other in English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
, both published in 1975, won the International PEN Awards. He is married to an actress, Jesesi Mungoshi, who played in the Zimbabwean film Neria as Neria. He holds an Honorary degree from the University of Zimbabwe
University of Zimbabwe
The University of Zimbabwe in Harare, is the oldest and largest university in Zimbabwe. It was founded through a special relationship with the University of London and it opened its doors to its first students in 1952. The university has ten faculties offering a wide variety of degree programmes...
. Mungoshi also took part in some of the local Zimbabwean drama series in the late 80's to early 90's, and played a role in a local drama Ndabvezera which was produced by Aaron Chiundura Moyo. His first Shona novel was Makunungunu Maodzamoyo followed by the English short collection Some Kinds of Wounds, which was banned by the colonial regime. His other Shona novel, Kunyarara Hakusi Kutaura, won several awards and his play Ingongova Njakenjake showed his versatility as a writer.