Department of Literary Studies, University of Malawi

We are proud to announce that Dr. Innocent Akili Ngulube has published a new article in Koniokijike Brill!

"Deconstructing the Decolonial Turn: Zulu Contributions to Modernity in Zakes Mda's The Zulus of New York"

In this open-access article, Dr. Ngulube offers a compelling analysis of Zakes Mda's 2019 novel, exploring how the author fictionalises historical events to interrogate racialised practices of modernity, diasporisation, and dehumanisation. The article engages with Olúfémí Táiwò's critique of the decolonial turn, arguing for a deeper recognition of African contributions to modernity.

📖 Published: 25 March 2026
🔓 Open access under CC BY 4.0 license

🔗 Access the article here:
https://doi.org/10.1163/18757421-bja00031

Join us in congratulating Dr. Ngulube on this significant scholarly achievement!

Associate Professor of Literary Studies at the University of Malawi, Asante Mtenje, has urged the country’s fiction writers to begin exploring unfamiliar ideas in their storytelling.

Speaking on Friday during a webinar organised by the Malawi Writers Union under the theme ‘Writing What You Don’t Know’, Mtenje said most writers limit themselves by repeatedly recreating familiar events and experiences, making their work predictable to readers.

She said such an approach can reduce readers’ interest, as stories that sound too familiar often fail to capture imagination and curiosity.

She encouraged writers to embrace creativity, speculation and imagination when developing fiction, saying this can make stories more engaging and compelling.

On the growing use of Artificial Intelligence in creative writing, Mtenje said writers may only use AI tools for research organisation rather than allowing the technology to write stories for them.

She warned that overreliance on AI in storytelling risks stripping stories of originality, emotion and the human touch that gives fiction its life.

By Alufisha Fischer Contributor

We are delighted to announce that Prof. Nick Tembo has been awarded a Flexible Seed Grant of £10,000!

This prestigious award will support his important early-stage discovery research on men's mental health and su***de prevention in Malawi. His work aims to build the conceptual, methodological, and collaborative foundations for a gender-responsive, life-course-informed study in this critical area.

Join us in congratulating our colleague on this well-deserved achievement!

Ending the week on a high note — Blessings Mwahimba, a second-year Literary and Cultural Studies student, has published two poems: “I Fear Development” and “The Little Firefly” in The Kalahari Review.

A great reminder of the creativity and talent within our student community, and how literary voices continue to grow and find space in contemporary African writing.

🔗 Read the poems here: http://t.ly/PX0F8

I Fear Development Poems mourning small lives, fading light, and what development quietly destroys — from Malawian Blessings Mwahimba

The Department of Literary Studies is pleased to share that Ms. Violet Gumbwa , an M.A. student in Literary and Cultural Studies, has published a new scholarly article examining "My Sister, the Serial Killer" by Oyinkan Braithwaite.

In the article, Ms. Gumbwa explores how the novel moves between the psycho-thriller and African noir genres, using trauma theory to reflect on the complex relationship between the central characters. Her work contributes to ongoing conversations in contemporary African literary studies.

We congratulate Ms. Gumbwa on this important academic milestone.

🔗 Read the full article here: https://www.scienceopen.com/hosted-document?doi=10.13169/JH.v33i2.118

The department congratulates Miss Joana Chisale, our fourth year student, on earning her place on the Executive Dean’s List with a 3.80 GPA. Congratulations Miss Chisale 👏🏽👏🏽

Department Outreach | Inspiring Future Scholars

On Sunday, 8th March, students from the Department of Literary and Cultural Studies visited Mulunguzi Secondary School through the Unima Literary and Cultural Studies Society. The outreach aimed to introduce senior secondary school students to the Bachelor of Arts in Literary and Cultural Studies programme, encourage them to work hard, and provide guidance on how they can navigate university life once selected.

During the visit, the Society’s President, Ms. Jane Chimphonda, spoke about the role of the Unima Literary and Cultural Studies Society as a collaborative space where students can showcase their talents and develop their academic and creative skills. The Vice President, Ms. Aminah Milanzi, emphasized the importance of reading widely, reminding the learners that books remain a powerful source of knowledge that can support their academic journey. The Academic Coordinator, Mr. Blessings Mwahimba, also explained the structure of the Bachelor of Arts in Literary and Cultural Studies programme, highlighting the courses offered, possible career paths, and the admission requirements.

The event also included interactive activities such as tongue twisters and literature quizzes, which created an engaging atmosphere for the learners. Students at Mulunguzi Secondary School expressed appreciation for the visit and hoped for more interactions in the future. The Deputy Headteacher, Mr. Mpaso, thanked the visiting team for motivating the students and noted that those who attended had greatly benefited from the experience.

New Creative Publication

We are pleased to share that Dr. Tanaka Chidora has published three poems in "The Kalahari Review" — marking his first creative publication of 2026.

"The Kalahari Review" is a respected literary platform that showcases contemporary African writing and voices. We congratulate Dr. Chidora on this achievement and celebrate his continued contribution to creative writing and literary scholarship.

Read the poems here: kalaharireview.com/how-the-world-used-to-be-young-511fbd3b0b2c

How the World Used to be Young Three poems about change and loss — by Zimbabwean Tanaka Chidora