MAWU Launches 2025 Short Story Competition to Revive Reading Culture

 

Lawrence Kadzitche(MAWU chairperson)

The Malawi Writers Union (MAWU) has raised concerns over the decline in reading culture across the country and is taking steps to address the issue through its newly launched 2025 Short Story Writing Competition.

The competition, unveiled in Lilongwe, aims to discover new literary talent while increasing the visibility of writers and the union itself. It will run from March 18 to May 31 under the theme "Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Mental Health" and is open to both local and diaspora-based Malawian writers. Winners will be awarded in July, with a grand prize of K1,000,000 in the General Category and K300,000 for the Secondary School Students Category.

MAWU sees the rise of AI as a major topic of discussion in various professions, and this competition provides a platform for writers to explore its impact on mental health. In addition to the competition, the union has lined up several workshops and initiatives aimed at strengthening the literary community in Malawi, including opportunities for writers to engage with international counterparts.

With these efforts, MAWU hopes to revitalize interest in reading and writing while positioning Malawian literature on the global stage.