Harare, Zimbabwe – In a vibrant, low-income area of Harare, 52-year-old Kingston Dhewa sits at his fruit and vegetable stall, writing on his smartphone while interacting with customers. In a time when traditional publishing methods are out of reach for many, Dhewa and other writers in Zimbabwe have found an alternative route through WhatsApp.
Dhewa began writing in school and attempted to publish his first work in 1992, but he lacked the necessary funds for traditional publishing. During the COVID-19 lockdown in March 2020, he started exploring literature shared on WhatsApp and found inspiration to kickstart his own writing career. “I felt that I could do a much better job than the authors I was reading,” says Dhewa. Since then, he has written and published 43 novels via WhatsApp groups and has engaged over 1,000 followers.
Writers like Dhewa publish their stories in serial form, often sharing the first chapters for free to attract readers. The popularity of WhatsApp in Zimbabwe – where approximately 5 million out of 16 million people use the app – has created a new avenue for authors to engage directly with their audience.
Another author, Pamela Ngirazi, has over 21,000 followers and uses a WhatsApp channel to reach readers. She offers the first 20 chapters of her new book, “Prior Replica,” for free, followed by a payment model for the remaining chapters. This highlights the growing trend among Zimbabwean authors who are adapting to digital platforms in an economy characterized by inflation and limited access to traditional bookstores.
The economic realities in Zimbabwe, such as high inflation and low incomes, mean that many Zimbabweans must find alternative ways to access literature. According to Philip Chidavaenzi, a Zimbabwean author and publisher, it is necessary for writers to adapt to these circumstances in order to survive. “Of course, we could turn to Amazon, but how many Zimbabwean citizens can buy goods there?” Chidavaenzi questions. This statement underscores the challenges of accessing international platforms.
Nonetheless, Dhewa is optimistic about the future and hopes to achieve recognition and success through his writing on WhatsApp. “I want the rest of the world to know and love our culture as Africans and how we live in rural areas,” he says.
While self-publishing on WhatsApp offers new opportunities, there are also concerns regarding quality and copyright. According to IT expert Jacob Mtisi, Zimbabwe’s laws are favorable for authors, but enforcement is lacking. Chidavaenzi further points out that the economic crisis has had significant consequences for the traditional publishing industry.
As more authors turn to WhatsApp as a publishing platform, the future of Zimbabwe’s literary landscape is changing, and the digital space offers the potential to reach a broader audience despite the challenges faced by the country.