IHRAM Writer Mbizo Chirasha speaks to Malawian dedicated Poet/Writer/Artist Justice Masangano

MC: Who is Justice Masangano and what has written so far?
JM: Justice Masangano is a creative genius from Malawi. He is a passionate fan of art in general. A stint in a class of journalism helped him how on how he can churn his magic around this prestigious call. He writes as a form therapy, using his mighty pen as an escape from the insane world. I think it's writing that gives him a sense of purpose.
Among the many forms of writing, he finds poetry fascinating. It flows naturally in him. The advantage is that it can be written anywhere; when you sit on the sand or the river bank watching the waters ripple. You can jot a line in the church, at the stadium. The list is endless. He has so far written alot of volumes on verse of which the manuscripts keeps on gathering dust on the shelves.

MC: How many books have you published so far?
JM: I haven't published any book yet, but I hope to. But I have published some of my pieces of poetry with our local newspapers such as Malawi news, Weekend nation newspapers and Together Magazine. It was as we say, testing the deep waters. I have also published online with plexis magazine and Brave voices. I also appear in the 2022 and 2023 anthologies of African writing for poetry curated by Zimbabwean Tendai Rinos  Mwanaka.

MC. Are you a member of any  writers/artistic organisation in Malawi?
JM: I doubt.

MC: How are  writers, poets and artists received and treated  in your country?
JM: I would say it depends. Music remains a dominating entity. The most encouraging thing is that everyday seems to blossom with new creativity in all forms of art. We seem to be bewitched by the winds of new muse. Recently, there has been a dwindling in theatre. Thank God the movie industry is taking shape though at a snails gallop.  Writing and poetry still remain in the shadows. I am not impressed on a personal level. We have alot of gems but they don't know how to navigate through the market. It's not their fault. I feel like something has to be done. But although it is like that, there is a reason to smile because there has been a shift compared to ten years ago. People can gather around their radios to listen to recorded poetry and sit in front of their TVs to watch videos from poets. People can go to live poetry performances. However, there is still alot more to work on.

MC: Where do you draw your writing  inspiration from, any established writers you can mention?
JM: It's very tricky. Sometimes I think artists are born, sometimes I think they are made. Both makes sense. But all I know is that it's a gift. Art is not for everyone. The way we draw our inspiration is what makes us different. Mine comes from diverse angles. My eyes and ears are the best tools. I take from the society and incorporate it with my third eye and give it back to the society. Experiences, both observational and personal plays a vital role.
Apart from that, I read alot; from newspapers to magazines to novels to poetry. As far as it is something that has to do with human Subjects.  I grew up reading pacetters, Mills and boons. The books of people and writings from the likes of Professor David Rubadiri, Ken Lipenga, Steve Chimombo,  Tiyambe Zeleza, Shemu Joya just to mention a few are what has shaped me to be a writer I have become today. Thus on the local scene. There is no writer without a writer. When we read other people's work, we still their creative DNA without knowing. It's a writer that shapes another writer, old, contemporary or bidding one's.
Then there were the likes of Mariama Ba, Bessie Head, Grace Ogot. I can mention them till the sun set. And there is a smile to see writers like Dr Wesley Macheso, Khalipwina Mpina, shadreck Chikoti, Onjezani Kenani. They have all well established themselves in the art of writing and it's a source of encouragement.

MC. Malawi was first ruled by Kamuzu Banda, there is a lot of talk about his leadership, how traits of democracy like freedom of expression, transparency and gender equity are respected?
JM: I will not delve much into politics. There are many aspects this great son of Africa did well, and they are worth applauding and to be emulated by other polical leader. Especially the good side. He was a man whose order, decency, discipline, obedience, unity lived at the welfare of his heart. He has alot to be remembered for. But I would be quick to say that his regime was a lost opportunity in as far as art is concerned. This is because of the oppressive political atmosphere that was riddled with heavy censorship laws. That period saw the birth of many publishing platforms, but many pieces couldn't see the light of the day. You had to be non polical. It was a period where creativity was extremely stiffled. Writers who took a defiant stand against the regime found themselves into exiled or being imprisoned. It is the Democratic dispensation that stirred a positive discourse. The incorporation of human rights helped artists to experiment deeper into themes that are deeply rooted in our identity. The most interesting thing is how women have come out to represent gender balance. I would say I am not satisfied yet, but we are getting there and we will get there.

MC: Any project  that you  are writing currently. What is the project about?
JM: I had to take a breather to bounce back flesh. But I have failed. Now I believe what one art genius said that artist do not rest. There is alot to be done.

MC: Have you ever won any award in the area of  literature, writing and arts?
JM: Proudly yes. In 2015 I won the Kamwa La Luso poetry competition that was organized by Nkhoma Radio station. I also got shortlisted for the Ukraine writing prize in 2022. This are no small achievements. They are worth celebrating.

MC:.How is art activism received in Malawi?
JM: I think that's an area that needs much energy and concentrating on. I believe with concerted effort, there can be some positive change. A Nation that is not rooted in Literature is a dead nation. Literature is the grassroot of a progressive entity. It helps people to reason differently and navigate life challenges through critical thinking and come up with logical conclusions. This is where activism needs to come in to fill the gap that is tremendously missing.

MC: And how is the book industry  faring in Malawi.  Do you think something needs to be done?
JM: I am proud when it comes to that. I have witnessed that there has been a spate of publications so recently, both fiction and non fiction. And by the end of this year, I expect to see more. We will only have to be serious. I think the coming in of the digital world has made matters easier. Of course, it's not everything that deserve to be published. We can end up killing the art. A book or a piece of writing must be that which is not easy to forget when you read it and you must always yearn to revisit it again and again.

MC: I understand PEN Malawi is very active , what are some of the activities and roles of Malawi PEN?
JM: Not only active, but a survivor. I think it has remained instrumental in the promotion of literature. There is also the Story Club of Shadreck Chikoti. These are entities that are doing a commendable job in advancing the cause of Literature. I have also observed so recently the coming in of The Copyright Fund of the University of Malawian-Unima through The Literature studies Department that it has embarked on 'Writing Better' workshops. This is a milestone.

I am a writer and poet from the southern part of Africa, Malawi to be specific. I responded to the call of writing in the very early years of the millennium. I have tested the waters by publishing some of my pieces especially poetry in our local newspapers, weekend nation and Malawi new. I have also published with Grains, an anthology of poetry. I also appeared in the 2022 and 2023 anthology for African poetry. Online publications include praxis magazine and Brave voices.