Dr. Ignatius T. Mabasa

Qualifications:

1. PhD ( Rhodes University) SA 2.Mphil Media and Communication, University of Oslo, Norway 3.Post-Grad Diploma, Journalism and Media Studies, UZ 4.BA General, Shona and Linguistics, UZ

Academic Appointments:

Lecturer at the department of Creative Media in the Faculty of Arts

Research Interests:

Creative Writing, Storytelling, Media & Communication, Communication & Culture

Faculty: Arts and Humanities

Department: Creative Media & Communication

Research Category: Communication Studies

Biography:

Ignatius Tirivangani Mabasa is known more for his award-winning novels – “Mapenzi”, “Ndafa Here?” and “Imbwa yemunhu.” Mabasa is a content creator, storyteller, translator and a Shona language activist. Mabasa started telling stories before he could write his name. Through the informal learning interventions of storytelling Mabasa celebrates Afrocentrism, challenges, probes and creates opportunities and a safe space to dialogue on pertinent social issues.
In 2010, he worked as writer/storyteller in residence at the University of Manitoba in Canada. In 2017 his animated folktale “Chipo neChipopayi” won the Zimbabwe International Film Festival award for best short film.

Email: ignatiusmabasa@gmail.com

Phone: +263772 278 171

Publications:

1. Mapenzi, College Press, 1990
2. Ndafa Here? College Press, 2008
3. Imbwa yemunhu, Bhabhu Books, 2013
4. Ziso rezongororo, Oxford University Press, 2017

Patented Work:

Grants & Funding (current and Past projects):

1. 2013 – Culture Fund Grant for printing of novel Imbwa Yemunhu
2. 2016 EU Funding for the Animated Folktales Project
3. National Research Fund of South Africa – African Languages for PhD Research.

Awards & Achievements:

1. Translated the Zimbabwe COPAC Constitution document from English into Shona
2. Translated the first ever Shona Study Bible for Bible Society of Zimbabwe
3. 2019 University of Zimbabwe Graduation Ceremony Poetry Performance to welcome HE The President E. D. Mnangagwa  

Awards
1. Zimbabwe’s 75 Best Books of the Century prize for Shona novel Mapenzi, 2004  
2. Zimbabwe Book Publishers Association, 1st Prize Shona Novel, Mapenzi, 1999  
3. Zimbabwe Book Publishers Association, 1st Prize Shona Novel, Ndafa Here?, 2009  
4. National Arts Merit Award (NAMA) for Ndafa Here?, 2009  
5. National Arts Merit Award (NAMA) for The Man, Shaggy Leopard and Jackal and other stories, 2010  
6. The Market Superman published in Stories that Talk 2, Heartlines, South Africa, 2010  
7. National Arts Merit Award nomination for Meri nebhutsu tsvuku, 2013  
8. National Arts Merit Award for novel Imbwa yemunhu, 2014  

Consultancy and advisory work (current and past):

1. Publications Development, World Education, April 2012 to 2016  
2. Shona Study Bible Translator/Language Consultant, Bible Society of Zimbabwe, November 2013 –  June 2014  
3. Translator, Copac Constitution, October 2012, February 2013  
4. Education and Publishing Consultant - Zimbabwe Reads, Producing children’s books and educational  materials for Zimbabwe Reads, an NGO that promotes literacy  
5. Basic Education Consultant, Save the Children/World Vision, Translating the Literacy Boost Toolkit  from English into the Shona language and producing a print-ready book, August 2012  
6. Storytelling in schools and society, developing and producing animated folktales, 2013 to now  
7. Editing and producing books for National Gallery of Zimbabwe, 2015  
8. Producing a Language Policy Document for Zimpapers Radio and Television Stations, 2015  
9. Evaluating Culture Fund of Zimbabwe funded projects around Zimbabwe, 2015  