Scaling The Heights with Literature

 

                                        

The realm of local literature is slowly divorcing its status as a stagnant industry. Today, the poetry and prose-fiction scene is in the same breath with other disciplines of art. It doesn’t come as a surprise that more creative players are flocking onto the poetry scene to try their luck and win audiences. Those with a real knack for literature only have to brainstorm outside the box in order to subject audiences to a round of applause. But for those that are forcing things in the industry, they have to dig deeper to stand a chance of creating a fan base.

One of the literary minds to have emerged with signals of real skill and disciplined craftsmanship on the creative podia is poet and writer Joseph Daniel Sukali. The writer has created a name for himself as a gifted writer and poet. All his previous literary works have given the impression that his genius is not a fluke but rather a pure gem in story-telling circles, in the process, guaranteeing audiences of human-interest themes in his choice of messages. His main area of specialty is psychosocial paradoxes that resonate with individual mental wellbeing and human relations.

In his previous book Dealing with a Heartbreak; Therapy for a Broken Heart, Sukali is in top form as he delivers home a powerful discussion on how one can rediscover rhythm in the aftermath of a broken relationship. The not yet done sprouting author puts emphasis on the importance of finding yourself after being let down by love. He points out at the do’s in one’s walk to recovery. Above all, Sukali delivers a deep message on the importance of not crawling on one’s beautiful bones to beg for bad love to stay and the need to start afresh once a storm hits the peace of one’s heart.

Wonders of My Perception, is also another literary project that positions Joseph Sukali up there with the likes of Yankho Seunda and Qabaniso Malewezi. In terms of content and delivery competence, he is in the same breath with both the former and the latter. Wonders of My Perception, a poetry anthology that houses seven pieces of spoken-word poetry, was another prefect demonstration by the author that art is indeed a weapon that drives home messages of social significance. The anthology has poems such as Equally Human, Wonders of My perception, where do we go when we sleep, I raped My Mother, Scars of Depression, Dear Black Child and Hooligan’s Dark Paradise. All the poems have a matching fingerprint in that they all speak of life and it’s wonder and mystery.

His other works are Whispers of Beating hearts, a joint anthology he did with fellow poet Richard Chilango Jr, and the highly rated Harnessing Inner Tranquility which made profit sales and attracted a buying price of 2Million Malawi kwacha from Otis Bushiri who went home a happy buyer. Basically, the book preaches of free-will and the importance of independent decisions on affairs of the heart and individual conduct. It emphasizes that an individual should be governed by his autonomous thinking unlike social expectations.

The author is the first born in a family of three children, two boys and a girl. Born from a chemistry of a Lhomwe father from Blantyre and a Lambia mother from Chitipa, the author revel in a diversity of tribe. He dwells in Mangochi district where he works for Emmanuel International Christian Organisation.

The youthful author did his Secondary school at Nankhunda Seminary in Zomba. He later got a transfer to finalize his academic studies at Malosa Secondary School in Zomba. From there, he got admission to study for a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Theological studies at Mzuzu University in the northern region of Malawi. After completion of his studies at the University, he became a History teacher at Chinamwali Private Secondary School, before being blessed with his current Job.

Sukali embarked on his artistic path as a song writer who didn’t ride on his verses. He was much of a bookworm who could pass exams by reading novels and zero studying. known for his showbiz name ‘MweneMugamba among his peers. Mwene Denotes King and Gamba denotes gangster, so the name meant Mfumu yama gamba. According to him, he was born with a gift of art. Only that the gift started to manifest itself when he went to Nankhumba Seminary. A few years later when he was a student at Malosa Secondary School, he gave poetry a shot and the feedback suggested that he polishes up a few areas and brace for a career as a professional poet.

He said: “When I was at Nankhunda Seminary, I fell in love with African Literature and music. I remember spending all my study hours reading novels and writing. It was till when I went to Malosa Secondary School that I shared my first piece in public. Then on graduation day I recited my first piece that touched so many hearts, it was there that I knew I was meant to do this.”

“The fact that those who had given ear to my poetry, sang praises of my skill and appreciated my room for improvement, drove me crazy about poetry and literature as an artistic domain. I have since then embraced growth as a poet and long may it continue,” he adds.

To this day, Sukali Has published several works in the local newspapers, magazines, international journals, Newsletters and online platforms.

Born on 27^th December 1994, Joseph Daniel Sukali, expressed satisfaction on the impact he has had in the industry this far. He has come across a cross-section of big names in the literary industry, talk of Robert Chiwamba and Professor Anthony Mabvuto Gunde.

In addition to publishing his works on different local platforms. Sukali said he has also managed to register his name on the global scene by constantly publishing with international literature outlets.

“I have a dream. A dream to present Malawi on the global stage. For that to come about, I have to keep on dishing out powerful messages that will appeal to international audiences. In so doing, putting my country on the map as pertaining to literature of substance,” he said.

Sukali said he is always on toes in an effort to deliver messages of social interest. However, the country runs low on the fuel of reading culture. He observes that the shortage of bookworms in the country has financial consequences in the sense that published books have a narrow market. Sukali’s observation resonates well with Jomo Kenyatta’s famous adage that reads: “If you want to hide information from a Black Man, hide it in books.”

“It is difficult to penetrate the local book market here in Malawi because not many people are willing to read. That affects the book sales because the market keeps on diminishing instead of ascending the sales ladder,” He said.

In the end, Sukali advised fellow writers to keep soldiering with the pen as they eye for international recognition and openings on foreign soil.

Meanwhile, Sukali has just completed writing his first ever novel A Dance in the Mud.