By Perpetua Murungweni
Masvingo writer Clemency Madyangove (33)’s short ‘Absentia’ was recently selected into the Anthology Book of Men, an international Anthology of African and Latin American Writers Volume 3.
The anthology is a collection of writings that explore complexities of manhood and it features 29 writers from 12 countries.
“The Anthology is a groundbreaking collection of writings that explore the complexities of manhood from diverse perspectives. Featuring 29 writers from 12 countries – Zimbabwe, South Africa, Malawi, Uganda, Nigeria, South Sudan, Kenya (Africa) and Mexico, Honduras, Venezuela, Cuba, Argentina (Latin America), the anthology delves into themes such as man and home, education, workplace, rights, modern male struggles, figurehead, economy, and violence,” said Madyangove.
Madyangove said the anthology is a platform for writers to share their experiences and thoughts on men’s issues and aims at bridging the gap between men and women ideologies.
“The collection comprises 50 poems and 7 prose pieces (essays and fictions) in English and Spanish, and it offers a unique platform for writers to share their experiences and insights on men’s issues. By fostering a spirit of open dialogue and mutual understanding, this anthology aims to bridge the gap between men and women, and between different cultures, to promote a more inclusive and empathetic world,” he said.
The short story Absentia is a blend of themes and elements and it delves into themes such as man and home, education, workplace, rights, modern male struggles, figurehead, economy, and violence.
“Absentia, stands out in its genre due to its unique blend of themes and elements.
“The story reflects on the fears and regrets that we all face when we’re forced to confront our own irrelevance and the darkness of isolation. I hope that ‘Absentia’ resonates with readers and sparks important conversations about the human condition,” Madyangove said.
The writer said experiences of people who left their homes in search of greener pastures and then struggle to cope with changes when they come back home inspired him to pen down the story.
“I drew inspiration for ‘Absentia’ from the experiences of people who have left their homes in search of success, only to return and find that everything has changed. I wanted to explore the themes of identity, belonging, and the human struggle to cope with the passage of time,” he said.
Madyangove also said his own living experiences inspired him and working on this piece was a healing journey for him.
“It was a cathartic and challenging experience. I drew inspiration from my own experiences with feelings of irrelevance and the fear of being left behind. I wanted to explore the complexities of the human psyche and the struggles we face when our sense of purpose is shaken.
“There were many moments of self-doubt and uncertainty, but the story kept calling me back. I’m grateful for the journey, as it allowed me to confront my own fears and emerge with a deeper understanding of myself and the human condition,” said Madyangove.
Madyangove said he is hoping that his story will resonate with the readers and spark meaningful conversations about life.
“With ‘Absentia’ being my first published project, I hope that it resonates with readers and sparks meaningful conversations about the human condition. I hope that the story will connect with people on a deeper level, as it explores universal themes of identity, belonging, and the struggle to find purpose.
“I also hope that it will inspire readers to reflect on their own lives, confront their fears, and find the courage to pursue their passions. “I hope that its going to stand as a reminder that we are not alone in our struggles, and that our stories have the power to connect us, heal us, and transform us,” said Madyangove.
Madyangove is a filmmaker who has worked on a number of film and television productions. He is an Associate Producer of Gonarezhou the Movie, which won the Best Narrative Film at the Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) USA. He is also a script developer and producer of ‘Poor Cousins’ Movie, that won the Best Full Length Film at the National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA) Zimbabwe. He was Associate Producer on the Story of Nehanda Full Length Film (NAMA nominated). He is behind the production and story development of Solo and Mutsai Drama Series which was broadcast on NRTV-DSTV Zimbabwe. He is currently working on his first book “Up In Smoke” a memoir, which chronicles his life mistakes and misfortunes in the past decade.
