Gertrude Mutsamwira
Gertrude Mutsamwira, a 65-year-old poet from Manicaland, Zimbabwe, discovered her passion for poetry later in life, despite an early introduction in 1978 when she translated a poem for a school magazine. With a background in teaching and counselling, she founded her own counselling practice before turning to poetry during the COVID-19 shutdowns. Her work reflects themes of resilience, womanhood, and life’s struggles. Her work was recently featured in the book entitled – “Tessarae – a mosaic of poems by Zimbabwean women” which was released in 2023. Deeply influenced by Zimbabwean traditions and storytelling, her evocative verses resonate with readers, proving that artistic expression can flourish at any stage in life. Today, she continues to inspire with her heartfelt and introspective poetry.