By Aubrey Thom Vakhani
Poetry Association of Malawi (Pam) chairperson for the northern region, Yona Gondwe, has made a committment to revamp the association in the region.
Speaking in an interview on the sidelines of the elections that were held in Mzuzu recently, Gondwe said one of the plans is to ensure that all poets in the northern region are united and work together.
“For many years, the northern part of Malawi has been regarded as a dead region when it comes to poetry regardless of huge efforts to awaken it by the former executive. Under my leadership, I will try to bring northern region poets together and make sure that poetry in the north is vibrant. We are going to have school visitation programs where we are going to establish poetry clubs,” said Gondwe.
He added: “We are going to be having workshops and recitals which will be organized by the northern chapter itself as a way of shaping budding poets and also creating a platform where poets will be able to showcase their skills as well as promoting interaction amongst the poets.”
Gondwe said he will ensure that Pam north has a strong relationship with different stakeholders including the media.
“This will play a vital role in making sure that information through poetry is heard across the region in particular and Malawi in general, a thing which I have already started,” he said.
He further said Pam northern chapter will release poetry album which will be registered under Copyright Society of Malawi (Cosoma) as one of income generating activities for the chapter through loyalties.
“I, therefore, would like to urge all northern region poets to join Pam so that we should win together,” he said.
Gondwe was elected alongside Alick Harawa as his deputy, Catherine Lwesya (secretary), Luka Kamanga (vice secretary), Isaac Manda (treasurer), Yamzy Rahab (director of fundraising), Phinex Nyirenda (publicity secretary), and
Charity Munyimbili (director of women).
