I have mentioned this earlier, I’m not a fan of the internet. With all honest I’m suspicious of technologies: lifts, aeroplanes, computers, x-rays just to mention a few. But I’m in a trap. I am not able to escape it.
As I was growing up, questions popped up my head. I began problematising these thoughts. A friend encouraged me to start a blog. I was hesitant. I had about three articles that I have written, one was published by an online magazine while the other two was rotting on my drive. Watch the irony. Afraid of blogging while sending articles for publishing online! ‘Kusaziva kufa’ (not knowing is as good as being dead) so they say in Shona.
As if that was not enough ideas kept popping up and I was attempting writing and lobbying for News Houses to publish my literary reviews. I got published once in one of the state newspapers as a guest on one of the columnist’s portal. The columnist in question is my lecturer.
As I grew frustrated I entertained the idea of blogging. I created one in 2018, September I think. My first post came the very same month before the following post in June, 2019.
I’m giving you this background to justify my lack of or little knowledge of blogs in my country. I’m warming up to the idea. The wisdom of old told us that ‘Kandiro kanopfumba kunobva kamwe’ (concept of reciprocity in borrowing. Baton help with the translation here). I realized if I want to be a blogger I need to belong to community of bloggers. Thus here I am thinking I have unpopular opinions to advocate for.
And thanks to Beaton, so here I am with a new blog. My second post hinted on the motivation behind it. Becoming the muse is one of the few blogs, I followed a bit. I was drawn to the platform by his literary reviews and somewhat thought provoking and philosophical posts. I remember one day telling a friend of his post. The friend told me he belonged to the mother of book clubs in Zimbabwe: The Harare Book Club.
Two of my other blogs are not on this challenge but I have followed them for quite some time. memoryChirere.blogspot.com and Litmindsite by Tanaka Chidora. I loved them for their content. Literary criticism. They are probably the best on that type of content although they are less active
My other favorite is Rudo Manyere’s basicgirl platform. I was hooked on this when the world was closed. I can say the simplicity carried on the site and the issues there seduced me.
My last is one of those I was following for some time, Mudara raTinashe Muchuri. It’s one of the few that is written in Shona. I like that part and the creativity carried on it.
Having said this I have jotted down some blogs from Zimbabwe I believe will look beyond the WinterABC 2020 which made me connected to them. I will look for their previous and future posts.
From
The Advocate’s Desk
Haha the evolution has been amazing… I’m half you finally got round to opening the blog. You somewhat have philosophical posting like Beaton.. interesting..
I’ll check out those you’ve reccomended and hope the journey goes well for you.
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It was a struggle with myself. A long one. But Beaton was inspirational
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I’m glad you pulled through…
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I’m glad*
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My ears re ringing today, I seem to have featured a lot in people’s mentions I must definitely be doing something right
Each day I dream of a world where blogs are treated with the reverence they deserve but first I am going to convince everyone I can to try it for a little bit, when you are outside looking in one does not fully appreciate the power that is laying in wait to harnessed in these digital spaces… but I ramble along
Thank you for the mention
~B
PS blogging has quite a lot of reciprocity you get what you put in.
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And if it weren’t for the limitation of borders, you would have featured on my list too. Your blog inspires me to creativity and excellence.👌
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@beaton
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Keep on inspiring
Advocate
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Thank you Advocate for coming out. We’re you planning on exiting the world without sharing your thoughts?
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