Mlembi Press launches writing, art anthology

Mlembi Press Media (Pvt) Ltd has unveiled Rhythms of Thought Volume 1, an anthology of contemporary Malawian writing and art. The launch, held on Saturday in Blantyre, marked a significant milestone in the country’s literary landscape. In his speech, William Khalipwina Mpina, Mlembi Press co-owner and editor of Rhythms of Thought, emphasised the importance of documenting Malawian stories which he said have long been overlooked or lost.

“Malawians have fascinating stories. However, these stories are not properly documented and we have lost many of them,” he said. Mpina said Mlembi Press seeks to fill this gap by providing a platform for Malawian writers to share their work.

He said the anthology features poetry, plays, short stories, a song, artwork and a diverse range of voices, tackling tough themes such as economic struggles, identity and social change. Mpina highlighted challenges of independent publishing in Malawi, including limited funding, expensive printing and complicated distribution networks. Despite these obstacles, he said Mlembi Press has partnered African Books Collective (ABC) of UK to ensure international visibility and distribution.

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Mpina further affirmed their commitment to showcasing the complexity and truth of Malawian experiences, rather than sanitising narratives for comfort. “We are not interested in the version of Africa that has already been published,” he declared. “We are interested in what writers in Malawi are actually thinking, feeling and brave enough to say.” Rhythms of Thought Volume 1 is the first step in Mlembi Press’s mission to create a vibrant literary ecosystem in Malawi.

Mpina said Rhythms of Thought is an annual publication planned for release every January. The anthology is available locally for K30 000, with international distribution through ABC. The launch celebrated the bravery of the writers featured in the anthology, who have shared their stories and perspectives with the world.

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