Mufuka to embark on book tour

By Tinashe Mushakavanhu

KEN Mufuka is set to launch three books in a tour starting on April, 2 in his home town of Masvingo. Though the veteran educationist is based in the US where he lives and lectures, his love for the home country is never in doubt.  Two of his three books are inspired by Zimbabwe.

While President Robert Mugabe has been a major subject for the global media and Western academics, Mufuka has decided to add his views on one of Africa’s controversial leaders with his book, Zimbabwe: Life and Times of Robert Mugabe (1980—2014).

Mufuka says after reading ten books, “only one of which was written by a man of colour about Mugabe,” he felt a need to present a Pan African view.  The second book the author will introduce is Matters of Dignity, a collection of Zimbabwean short stories.  It is not the first time this book is seeing the light of day as it is in its third edition, having already been a best seller for some time.

In Secondment: Life and Letters, Mufuka gives a biographical glimpse on his long and varied academic career in the US where he has been teaching since 1976. During the book tour, he will also give a public lecture at Midlands State University and is also expected to lead a community worship service at Africa University in his other role as a lay preacher in the United Methodist Church.

Mufuka is also working with Mambo Press, Diaspora Educational Initiative and Mufuka Trust to bring books to Zimbabwean students at minimum costs.  The project is called ‘Give a black kid a chance. Give the kid a book.’

Mufuka is also a columnist for the Financial Gazette.