Mbizo Chirasha in conversation with Zambian Young Writer Felix Mwiya
MC: Who is Felix Mwiya and what is he currently doing ?
Felix Mwiya: I am a lyric poet from Zambia currently studying my bachelor’s in Aerospace Engineering in India. Basically I am an Engineer Poet. So I write and publish poems in Literary Journals, Magazines, Books etc. I also do poetry performances for various events. I had my last performance last Saturday on 10th August, 2024 and I am preparing for my other performance coming up. I have been reading anthologies i.e poetry and short stories since I was young. Last year I thought about writing poetry and I commenced my contributions to the poetry genre.
MC: Zambia is an interesting African country with lots of politics and talent. How can you describe your country politically and socially?
Felix Mwiya: Apparently the political atmosphere is very favorable since the change of government in 2021. And the country is currently peaceful.
MC: Does Zambian leadership believe in democratic traits, explain?
Felix Mwiya: At the moment I feel like Zambia is a synonym for Democracy, our Electoral Commission of Zambia is doing its best though we were a bit lacking in the past.
MC: What have you written so far?
Felix Mwiya: I have written a lot of poems since I started last year, most of my early and selected poems are available on Allpoetry website and one of them "into the unknown" was selected and added to the front page 'picks' section of the Allpoetry website. I mostly write lyric poems and I have also written a few Haiku poems and one Fibonacci poem.
MC: How did you feel, when you became part of the line up of the final list of the IHRAM SADC LITERARY PRIZE?
Felix Mwiya: Well! It is indeed a blessing for me. It is a dream come true, I am very honored that my voice will be heard around the world. Actually it is the biggest platform I've been featured on at the moment.
MC: What do you write about, gender rights, culture, politics or political history?
Felix Mwiya: I can say I mostly write about culture in terms of showcasing the good side of Africa to the world. I also write poems about social i.e love poems, philosophical poems, sad poems etc. Basically I hope for a perfect world where the value of things may be appreciated.
MC: Have you ever written anything that touches on the quest for peace and freedom of expression?
Felix Mwiya: Yes three poems actually, “Our time”, the poem that has been honored by IHRAM SADC LITERARY PRIZE and two other poems which are yet to be published titled “Are our ancestors happy?” and “Famous tale”
MC: Are you a published author, mention the publications?
Felix Mwiya: Actually I have co-authored the books "The Deep Ocean(Vol 1)" published by Blue Cloud Publishers and "Found Another Proverb." by Poet's choice. I am currently working on my solo Poetry book which will be published hopefully as the year ends.The book will hold information on how we can live a perfect life through poetry. It holds most of the greatest poetry pieces I have written. Personally, I am really excited and looking forward to it being published.
MC: Do you have platforms that promote writing, books and poetry in Zambia?
Felix Mwiya: Not really and but I have seen that poetry promotion is mushrooming in Zambia. Concerning books, there are not many book publishing companies and distribution companies in Zambia. You may eventually publish a book but for it to eventually sell out is something we need to work on.
MC: What is your parting shot to other Zambian young writers?
Felix Mwiya: I believe we are the ones to design our destiny. I encourage young writers to continue writing and perfecting their art and one day it will eventually pay off. I also think that writers should be much concerned on how their work will be distributed. Poetry as literary art is one of the most powerful arts and it needs people for it to keep going and we are the people. Just like an airplane needs a gas turbine to cruise, a person needs facts in order to change for growth and those facts are found in poetry.
A fast rising lyric poet from Zambia. Felix Mwiya has published several poems in magazines, journals and anthologies and recited some of his poems. Some of his notable works are 'Celestial sonata of affection' which was published by WILDsound Writing Festival, 'Two Minutes Love' and 'Illuminator of dreams; heavenly pearl' published by Taiwan & Masticadores, South ‘Sudan; the untold beauty’ available on Medium. He co-authored the books "The Deep Ocean (Vol 1)" and "Found Another Proverb." Felix Mwiya’s poem “Into the unknown” was recently added to the front page 'picks' section on the Allpoetry website.
