By Chisomo Phiri
The Malawi Writers Union (MAWU) has called for a renewed national commitment to reading and literacy as it celebrates 30 years of nurturing writers and promoting Malawian literature.
Speaking to 247 Malawi News,MAWU President Shadreck Chikoti said Malawi can only develop intellectually and socially if reading becomes a consistent part of everyday life.
He said:“We need to move from reading for gossip and entertainment to reading for knowledge and self-improvement.Reading should not just be a hobby,it should be a habit that feeds the mind and helps us grow as individuals and as a nation.”
Chikoti said formed in 1995, shortly after the dawn of multiparty democracy, MAWU has spent three decades empowering writers and encouraging a culture of reading through workshops, book fairs, and competitions.
He hailed the organization’s founding members including Roy Sagonja, Steve Chimombo and Edison Mpina for laying a strong foundation for literary growth in Malawi.
“These are the architects of Malawi’s literary movement.They built the foundation that today’s writers continue to build upon,” said Chikoti.
The MAWU President also encouraged writers in the country to embrace the digital era and explore how technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) can enhance creativity.
“AI is here to stay.We recently held a writing competition on AI and Mental Health to help writers understand and engage with emerging technologies in a meaningful way,” he said.
Despite the rise of digital platforms, Chikoti said he believes that social media has played a surprising role in promoting reading, even in rural communities.
“People are reading more than before, even if it is through Facebook or X (Twitter).But we must go further using reading not just for fun, but as a tool for education and self-development,” he said.
He added that as MAWU looks to the next 30 years,its mission remains to build a nation of readers and writers who use words to educate, inspire, and transform society.
“We have made great strides.Now it is time to take Malawi’s reading culture to the next level,” said Chikoti.
On his part,renowned author Sylvester Chabuka called on various stakeholders to come together and support MAWU in promoting local authors and developing a vibrant reading and writing culture in the country.
Chabuka emphasized the need to create more platforms for Malawian writers to showcase their work and inspire young people to embrace literature.
“We need to mobilize different stakeholders to support the Malawi Writers Union. For example, we can use every public event to market and promote Malawian-authored books. Even at the National Assembly, there could be a desk where our books are displayed for Members of Parliament to appreciate the literary talent that Malawi has,” he said.
Chabuka observed that many Malawians underestimate their potential in shaping a culture of confidence and creativity particularly among the youth through reading and writing.
“Our youth are often exploited in many ways.But if they develop a passion for reading and writing, Malawi will never be the same,” he said.
Chabuka further stressed the importance of organizing frequent writing workshops to nurture young talent and introduce students to creative writing at an early stage.
He also highlighted the progress that Malawian authors have made in producing quality local literature, noting that the country should move away from relying solely on foreign books.
“In the past, most of us studied English literature written by foreign authors. But now, many Malawian writers have produced excellent books that can be used in schools. Writing is storytelling, and everyone who has a story to tell can write,” said Chabuka.
He encouraged writers to remain humble and open to editing, saying that even the best books in the world contain mistakes.
The author also called for unity among writers to raise Malawi’s literary profile on the international stage.
“Countries like Nigeria and Kenya have made great strides in literature. It is our time now to raise the Malawian flag high,” he said.
As part of the anniversary celebrations, the organization hosted a Book Fair on Friday October 31,2025 at Chichiri Museum in Blantyre, bringing together authors, publishers, booksellers, and printers to showcase and sell books across multiple genres.
The fair featured a diverse collection of titles from primary school textbooks and tertiary academic materials to novels and motivational books offering readers a unique opportunity to access a wide range of literature in one place.
The celebrations continue today Saturday, November 1,2025, with a Writers’ Indaba featuring paper presentations, panel discussions, poetry, and musical performances.
The event reflects on how Malawian writers have contributed to national development, democracy, and education over the past three decades.
