Zanele Moyo
GWERU-based poet, writer, and musician, Tawanda Admore Chakanyuka, is on a mission to breathe new life into the Shona language and preserve its richness for future generations.
With pen in hand and poetry in his soul, Chakanyuka dreams of shaking the cultural world by elevating and celebrating the beauty of Shona in every possible form.
Born in 1974 in Zvimba, Chakanyuka grew up captivated by the lyrical beauty of poetry and the expressive power of his mother tongue.
That early enchantment sparked a lifelong journey rooted in language, rhythm, and heritage.
Speaking during an interview with The Times, Chakanyuka opened up about the early influences that shaped his artistic journey.
“I was inspired by Mordecai Hamutyinei and the late Vimbai Gukwe Chivaura, legends whose works were both thought-provoking and deeply entertaining,” he said.
“I started reading Hamutyinei’s poems to my classmates back in secondary school. That’s when I knew I wanted to write my own.”
By 2001, he was writing poetry and composing songs while also laying the groundwork for his first book.
He completed a manuscript of poems that remains unpublished, awaiting the financial support it needs to reach readers.
In 2014, Mambo Press recognised the potential of Chakanyuka’s work.
However, due to life changes and challenges, the opportunity to publish slipped through his fingers.
His poems also briefly found a platform on YA FM in Gweru before technical issues cut the broadcasts short.
That same year, he began writing his bold and culturally resonant book titled Maizvigonasei, a striking blend of Christian beliefs and indigenous cultural traditions.
The book explores the tensions between modern spirituality and ancestral customs, themes that have sparked personal and family turmoil due to differing worldviews.
What sets Chakanyuka apart is the deeply spiritual origin of many of his works.
“I often receive poems and songs in my dreams. I have to memorise them the moment I wake up or risk losing them,” he shared.
“I reflect, I listen, then I write. It’s a process that connects the subconscious with something greater.”
At the core of his artistry lies a clear mission: to keep the Shona language alive, thriving, and evolving.
“My goal is to make sure Shona lives on…forever. From one generation to the next. I want to inspire other writers just as I was inspired. Unlike other countries that lose their roots, I want Zimbabwe to keep what our ancestors left behind and hold our cultural pride through our language,” he said.
With unwavering support from his mother, wife, four children, and siblings, Chakanyuka continues to chase his dreams with resolve.
Now, he is calling on sponsors, literary collaborators, and cultural institutions to help him take his work to the next level.
Publishing, he believes, is the next step in bringing his creative vision to the world.
Outside the literary world, he is also a force to reckon with in athletics.
A seasoned marathon runner, Chakanyuka participated in the 2024 Victoria Falls Marathon, where he placed an impressive 65th out of 2 003 participants, completing 21 kilometres in just 1 hour and 28 minutes.
