Zimbabwean Pastor Daniel Matematema Celebrates Literary Success Across Southern Africa

Based in Botswana, where he serves as a pastor, Matematema received multiple prestigious awards in 2024, including the overall best content award from Kenya’s African Christian Authors Book Awards (ACABA) and recognition as the best multilingual writer from the Botswana Literature Awards.

Double Nomination Success

The accomplished author has secured nominations in two categories for upcoming literary recognition: the motivational category in English and the indigenous language category in Kalanga, demonstrating his commitment to preserving African languages through literature.

“Recognition and validation are of paramount importance for me as an author,” Matematema told AfricaBrief.

“This nomination creates an opportunity to mingle and learn from the best across the African continent, thereby creating collaborations that can amplify our voices through storytelling.”

Championing African Literature

Matematema praised initiatives like Mulher Forte African Literature, calling it “a noble initiative that recognises and celebrates Africa’s creativity, uniqueness, diversity and strength through storytelling.”

He believes such platforms not only showcase African heritage but also help preserve it by rewarding indigenous language writers.

Addressing Industry Challenges

Despite his success, Matematema acknowledges significant challenges facing African authors.

Book sales remain slow in both Botswana and Zimbabwe due to limited reading culture, high distribution costs, and markup pricing that makes books expensive for consumers.

“The other issue is bookshops which do not take books directly from authors but have distributors who actually make more margins than the writers themselves who spent sleepless nights putting pen to paper,” he explained.

Solutions for Growth

To improve the literary landscape, Matematema advocates for greater collaboration between curriculum developers and authors, government support for local writers, and corporate backing to enhance visibility.

“Certain things are easily understood better in one’s mother language,” he noted, emphasizing the importance of indigenous language literature.

Digital Innovation

Embracing technology, Matematema has made his works available as e-books on Amazon and Xania, with plans for audiobooks targeting tech-savvy generations.

Future Vision

Looking ahead, the author envisions becoming “a well-established author and publisher with global impact.”

Having launched five books simultaneously in December 2023, including two in Kalanga, he has received over three awards and numerous nominations across different countries within two years.

Mentorship and Unity

Drawing inspiration from Bishop Tudor Bismack and spiritual guidance from Apostle Dr E. Sitima, Matematema emphasises the power of unity among authors.

“There is strength in diversity. The concept of unity enhances the craft since many will come with different angles, especially in collaborations,” he said.

Advice for Emerging Writers

Matematema encourages upcoming authors to embrace their uniqueness: “Your story is your story. You understand it better, and nobody can tell it like you. Don’t wait till you are old to write; start now and keep improving yourself.”

His final message resonates with his motto of being “blessed to be a blessing”: “Everyone has a unique story that resonates well with a relevant audience. Don’t hesitate to share your story—it’s a much-needed boost in someone’s journey.”

The author’s success demonstrates the growing influence of African writers who are reshaping the continent’s literary narrative through authentic storytelling and cultural preservation.