Samantha Rumbidzai Vazhure

bilingual poet, novelist, librettist, short story writer, translator and visual artist

I have published a poetry collection in chiKaranga, Zvadzugwa Musango, which I translated into English as Uprooted; a novel Painting a Mirage; and another poetry collection, Starfish Blossoms, which won the National Arts Merit Award for Outstanding Poetry Book in 2023. Some of my poems appear in Ipikai Poetry Journal, and my visual art in Writing Woman Anthology – An anthology of African Asian Writers and Artists Vol.3 published by Mwanaka Media and Publishing. 

Photo Cred: Annie Greatorex

I write to ADVOCATE for:
  • human equality, diversity and inclusion
  • rights of women and children
  • rights and welfare of immigrants
  • mental health
  • preservation of vernacular languages 
I write for those weakened by:
  • abuse and inequality 
  • static cultural and manipulative religious beliefs and practices 
  • systems designed to further the dominant ideology of patriarchy 

 

bilingual poet, novelist, librettist, short story writer, translator and visual artist

I have published a poetry collection in chiKaranga, Zvadzugwa Musango, which I translated into English as Uprooted; a novel Painting a Mirage; and another poetry collection, Starfish Blossoms, which won the National Arts Merit Award for Outstanding Poetry Book in 2023. Some of my poems appear in Ipikai Poetry Journal, and my visual art in Writing Woman Anthology – An anthology of African Asian Writers and Artists Vol.3 published by Mwanaka Media and Publishing. 

Photo Cred: Annie Greatorex

I write to ADVOCATE for:
  • human equality, diversity and inclusion
  • rights of women and children
  • rights and welfare of immigrants
  • mental health
  • preservation of vernacular languages 
I write for those weakened by:
  • abuse and inequality 
  • static cultural and manipulative religious beliefs and practices 
  • systems designed to further the dominant ideology of patriarchy 

 

I established an independent press in 2020, Carnelian Heart Publishing, to amplify the voices of Zimbabwean writers. As editor and publisher, I have published various works comprising literary prose and poetry, including two anthologies of short stories by Zimbabwean writers – Turquoise Dreams and Brilliance of Hope, of which I contributed two short stories to the latter – ‘Barcode’ and ‘Tariro’; and an anthology of poems by Zimbabwean women – Tesserae,  to which I contributed six poems. 

Photo Cred: Annie Greatorex

“I did not make a conscious decision to start writing. My life experiences compelled me to do so.”

I established an independent press in 2020, Carnelian Heart Publishing, to amplify the voices of Zimbabwean writers. As editor and publisher, I have published various works comprising literary prose and poetry, including two anthologies of short stories by Zimbabwean writers – Turquoise Dreams and Brilliance of Hope, of which I contributed two short stories to the latter – ‘Barcode’ and ‘Tariro’; and an anthology of poems by Zimbabwean women – Tesserae,  to which I contributed six poems. 

Photo Cred: Annie Greatorex

“I did not make a conscious decision to start writing. My life experiences compelled me to do so.”

Art, anyone?

When I am not writing, I am transferring the images and colours in my head onto canvases.

In the news…

Zimbabwean female author opens doors for women in African Literature

AWIM News – Read here.

Books & Indie Publishing: A Conversation with Samantha Rumbidzai Vazhure

Rehab & Relapse – Read here.

Democratising literature: an interview with Samantha Rumbidzai Vazhure

Marian Christie – Read here.

In Conversation with: Samantha Vazhure

Zimbo Son – Read here.

Finding Feminism in my Late 30s: Lessons & Reflections of outgrowing Patriarchy

The Feminist Bar Podcast  – Listen here.

The Zimbabwean lawyer turned publisher who took on a 'Whatsapp' author

RFI – Read here.