Valerie Tagwira

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Valerie Tagwira is a Zimbabwean writer who is a specialist obstetrician-gynecologist by profession.[1] Her debut novel The Uncertainty of Hope, published in 2006 by Weaver Press, won the 2008 National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA) Outstanding Fiction Book.[2][3][4]

Biography[edit]

Valerie Joan Tagwira was born in the city of Gweru, in central Zimbabwe, but lived for most of her childhood in Rutendo (Redcliff), a town in the Midlands Province.[5] She attended Monte Cassino Secondary School in Macheke and St James High School in Nyamandhlovu. She graduated in 1997 from the University of Zimbabwe's Medical School, and subsequently studied at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists while working in London, UK.[6] Her first novel, The Uncertainty of Hope – which is set in Mbare, a suburb of Harare, Zimbabwe, and, as she has described it, "is all about the day-to-day nitty-gritty during the hard times of 2005" – was written during the time when she was in England, between 2002 and 2010, travelling home twice a year.[1]

Writing[edit]

The Uncertainty of Hope, published in 2006 by Weaver Press, received widespread favourable reviews. Percy Zvomuya in the Mail & Guardian wrote: "Tagwira’s book is a celebration of urban sisterhood and abiding relationships that withstand the deprivations of harsh, life-negating policies."[7] According to reviewer Annie Gagiano, "the overwhelming, lingering and realistic impression left by this work is of lives lived under extreme difficulty, but faced with immense courage, dignity and the vital support of caring friendship among women. It is, indeed, a highly accomplished first novel and a valuable addition to the African literary archive, however painful it may be to read its many harrowing moments."[8] Writing in The Standard newspaper, Bertha Shoko concluded: "This is a 'must read' for anyone with a passion for good literature. Tagwira manages to make me angry, happy, hopeful, and hopeless, as she narrates this touching story about Zimbabwe".[9] Charles Mungoshi in The Herald said the novel was a welcome addition to the canon of Zimbabwean literature,[10] while the reviewer for The Zimbabwean, calling the book "satisfying and thought-provoking", was reminded of award-winning Ghanaian writer Ama Ata Aidoo's novel Changes.[11][12]

The Uncertainty of Hope won the National Arts Merit Award (NAMA) for literature in 2008,[3][13] and is studied by Advanced-Level students as part of the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) English Literature curriculum.[14]

Tagwira also writes poetry and short stories.[13][15] She is included in the anthologies Writing Mystery and Mayhem (Weaver Press, 2015), edited by Irene Staunton,[16] and New Daughters of Africa, edited by Margaret Busby.[17]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Sara Davies, "Literary conversation with Valerie Tagwira", Harare News, 4 June 2014.
  2. ^ "NAMA Awards 2008". Pindula. 2018-02-25. Retrieved 2020-08-30.
  3. ^ a b "‘The Uncertainty of Hope’ wins NAMA award", Valerie Tagwira website, 14 February 2008.
  4. ^ Sharon Dell, "Hope in a climate of fear", The Witness, 4 June 2008. Via News 24/City Press.
  5. ^ Interview: Tagwira Valerie by Bertha Shoko, Weaver Press, 13 May 2007.
  6. ^ "Valerie Tagwira", African Books Collective.
  7. ^ Percy Zvomuya, "Two sides of one coin", Mail & Guardian, 7 August 2008.
  8. ^ Annie Gagiano, Book Review: LitNet, 3 March 2008.
  9. ^ Bertha Shoko, "Novel revisits Murambatsvina", The Standard, 25 March 2007.
  10. ^ Charles Mungoshi, "Book a welcome addition to Zimbabwean literature", The Herald, 30 April 2007.
  11. ^ "Reviews: The Uncertainty of Hope", The Zimbabwean, 13 April 2007.
  12. ^ "The Uncertainty of Hope" reviews at Weaver Press.
  13. ^ a b Emmanuel Sigauke, "Valerie Tagwira Wins the NAMA award", Wealth of Ideas, 14 February 2008.
  14. ^ Fungai Machirori, "‘The Uncertainty of Hope’ Added to Local English Literature Curriculum", Her (Zimbabwe), 25 February 2015.
  15. ^ "Short Stories", Valerie Tagwira website.
  16. ^ Writing Mystery and Mayhem, Weaver Press, 2015, ISBN 978-1779222787.
  17. ^ Joanne C. Hillhouse, "In Company with New Daughters of Africa", Jhohadli, 8 October 2018.

External links[edit]

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