Malawi Writers Union (MAWU) says the country has potential writers to compete with other accomplished writers on the global stage.
MAWU President Shadreck Chikoti made the remarks Sunday in Lilongwe during prize presentation for the 2025 Short Story Writing Competition.
Addressing the gathering, Chikoti said through the competition, which has been running since March 2025, the union has managed to unearth dozens of creative writers.
“Let me admit here that this competition has just revealed to us that we have enough talent in the country and that what’s lacking is the support only,” he said.
Chikoti said the union received over 200 short stories from students and other competitors who competed in the general category.
“So, Andrew Dakalira has emerged as the winner in the general category, going away with K1 million while in the students category, Prince Khwaye has been named winner and has received K300,000,” said Chikoti.
He has since said MAWU would support the winners to ensure that their art is seen and appreciated by the masses.
“We have published the winning stories as well as other stories on our website for people to appreciate,” he added.
In his remarks, one of the winners, Andrew Dakalira has commended MAWU for organising the competition.
“I also implore MAWU to help local writers penetrate the global stage,” he said.
Dakalira’s winning story was titled “Error Baby” while Prince Khwaye’s winning story was titled “Echoes in the Cloud”.
In the general category, 147 writers submitted their entries while in the students category, 23 entries were recorded by the judges.
The competition was held under the theme “Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Mental Health”.
