𝘉𝘺 𝘗𝘢𝘶𝘭 𝘚𝘩𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘯𝘵 & 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘪𝘦 𝘔𝘵𝘢𝘮𝘣𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘢

Students from Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) joined writers and literary enthusiasts in Blantyre to mark the 30th anniversary of the Malawi Writers Union (MAWU). 

The two-day celebration, held from October 31 to November 1, 2025, gathered authors, poets, and students from across the country under the theme “Celebrating Malawi’s Literary Journey: Reflections on Democracy and Literature–Nurturing Malawi’s Literary Voice since 1995.”

Festivities opened at Chichiri Museum with a lively book fair, where authors and readers mingled, exchanged ideas, and showcased creative works. 

The celebrations proceeded to Golden Peacock Hotel with the MAWU Indaba, a reflective forum where veteran writers traced the evolution of Malawian literature from the colonial period to the present democratic era.

Founded in 1995, MAWU has for long championed freedom of expression and preservation of Malawi’s literary identity. 

This year’s commemoration drew some of the country’s most respected literary figures, including Alfred Msadala, Wesley Macheso, Mike Sambalikagwa Mvona, Chikumbutso Ndaferankhande, Temwani Mgunda, Rhoda Zulu, and Dr Samuel Kalea.

Guest of honour and keynote speaker Dr Wale Okediran, secretary general of Pan African Writers Association (PAWA) and a Nigerian author based in Ghana, delivered an inspiring address on literature’s power to shape democracy and drive social transformation.

MAWU president Shadreck Chikoti described the anniversary as a tribute to creative endurance and the unyielding spirit of storytelling. 

“Today, we celebrate not just 30 years of MAWU, but the freedom to tell our stories without fear,” he said.

Representing MUST Writers Guild, Racheal Makowa, a 2nd year Medical Microbiology student and the Guild’s vice chairperson, reflected on the experience with gratitude. 

“Learning from literary legends has been the highlight of this celebration. Even as a science student, I’ve discovered that storytelling strengthens my creativity and perspective,” she said.

The anniversary featured poetry recitals, panel discussions, and critical reflections on the growth of Malawi’s literary space in the democratic era.

Through its Bingu School of Culture and Heritage, MUST continues to promote arts, culture, and the humanistic sciences, fostering creativity that bridges disciplines and generations.