Eriza, a debut novel written by UK-based Zimbabwean retired teacher Peter Molife, and on its second release, made a splash at the UK’s Black British Book Fair (BBBF) held in London earlier this month. The book was selected to feature in a panel discussion at the BBBF, called ‘Voices Unheard – Amplifying Our Stories.’
Vanessa La Rose of Book & Kulture, who organised the BBBF, specifically chose Eriza to be featured at the festival for its compelling narrative of migration and family. “Eriza is a story that relates to so many that leave their homelands, with the hopes of making a difference, improving the lives and conditions of their loved ones.
We need to champion more independent self-published authors so that we hear OUR stories,” Vanessa La Rose says.
The story is of a girl, Eriza, who hails from the fictional, small, rural village of Chena in pre-independence Zimbabwe. It weaves an enchanting tale of rural life, twists and turns of family dynamics and the immigrant journey that spans a 20-year period from 1960s to 1980 when Rhodesia becomes Zimbabwe. Being an intelligent girl, her father encourages her full potential and she secures a place to train as a nurse in England.
Though Eriza is excited at the chance to expand her horizons and improve life for her family in their homestead, her heart remains firmly in Chena. As she embraces all that 1960s England has to offer – freedom of speech, relationships, multiculturalism and racism – she is enthralled by the rapid and dramatic changes that reshape her family, village and country, as well as some shocking discoveries, all driven by the raging War of Independence.
The author skillfully captures the immigrant experience of straddling two cultures, Eriza’s growth from girl to woman and the expectation and ambivalence of returning to a changed nation.
Peter Molife originates from Msengezi. He started studies at University of Zimbabwe which he then completed in England before embarking on his career in education primarily in the Caribbean and England. His childhood in Msengezi is the main inspiration for the book. He recalls seeing how women would leave their villages to improve the lives of their families which in turn inspired others to do the same. It is something he saw in his own family too.
“The migration of Zimbabwean women had a significant impact on families including my own – and it still has today. I saw how much our life changed after my sister came to England to study nursing. Then there was the fact that men also became inspired to pursue the profession when it had always been seen as the domain of women. In addition to that, I was inspired to write this book because women became more involved in the political liberation of Zimbabwe through their professional achievements and the urge to go back to Zimbabwe to help their fellow people. They were true political agitators.” ~Peter Molife
Daniella Blechner, founder of Conscious Dreams Publishing who published Eriza, speaks highly of Peter’s work. “The world needs more works of literature from Peter.
At Conscious Dreams Publishing, we are passionate about providing a platform for strong and powerful underrepresented voices that have important stories that need to be preserved… In Eriza, Peter reflects on the rapidly changing political and social climate of 1960s Rhodesia vividly, whilst also drawing contrasts between 1960s UK and Eriza’s rural village, Chena.”
It is truly a heartwarming tale of family, life in pre-independence Zimbabwe and the universal human experience of migration.
For more on Eriza, go to: https://amzn.eu/d/5KPgANl
Available in bookstores soon.
