Zimbabwean academic and author of African Migration, Human Rights and Literature, Fareda Banda, wanted her book to explore the refugee/migration issue from the perspective of one whose people were being dehumanized: ‘I was also curious about whether literature could reach places or invoke emotions such as empathy, that law and policy did not seem to be doing.’
First Draft is our interview column, featuring authors and other prominent figures on books, reading, and writing.
Our questions are italicized.
What books or kinds of books did you read growing up?
I grew up during the Zimbabwean liberation struggle. The country was under sanctions and books were in short supply. For many of my generation, our only exposure was to Enid Blyton whose Malory Towers Series about a girls’ boarding school, I devoured. Mine was the generation of sagas—Lace, Thorn Birds, as well as Mills and Boon novels and, whisper it, Barbara Cartland’s novels.
In your earliest days as a lawyer/law student, what books were foundational to your study and research?
I would be lying if I gave an answer to this. Law books were in short supply due to the cost and not having access to foreign currency. To my eternal shame, we breached copyright and photocopied the key texts. I am sorry for my past infractions, but needs must. That said, I have continued to be part of the problem-publishing books that are beyond the reach of many. I will try to ensure that any future book is open access so free to download. I will have to find a funder first!
What’s the last thing you read that changed your mind about something?
It didn’t change my mind as such, but I found Tsitsi Dangarembga’s Black and Female challenging, stimulating and thought provoking...
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