Zimbabwean Writer Godwin Sweto Releases Second Novel Kunze Kwashata Uko

South Africa-based Zimbabwean author Godwin Sweto has released his second novel, Kunze Kwashata Uko, following the success of his debut, Here Lies the Truth, published last month. Both books, written almost concurrently, were published by Royalty Books.

Sweto, a senior executive in the gas and oil industry, told NewsDay Life & Style that Kunze Kwashata Uko was inspired by personal experiences with fraud. “I have been a victim of fraud a few times. In all cases, this involved persons who were close to me. They won my trust and deliberately led me into trusting them,” he said. “This set me back financially and really hurt me emotionally. I decided that for now, the best I can do is to warn others of the dangers of trusting too much, of the need to exercise vigilance.”

Although the novel uses humour, Sweto said it carries a serious message about recognising deception. Unlike his debut, which was written in English, the second book is in Shona. Sweto explained the choice was to preserve his language and culture, and also because he enjoys the richness of Shona as a medium of communication.

Sweto highlighted that the novel contains messages on societal awareness. “The main message relates to the need for everyone to have a heightened sense of vigilance and awareness in the face of continued societal degradation. The love for money is turning friends, relatives and neighbours into unsavoury monsters,” he said.

The novel also addresses disability, featuring a key character who is a disabled lawyer playing a crucial role in the story. Sweto previously produced Braille copies of his debut novel, donated to Capota School of the Blind. “The overriding message here is about the need to treat all with due respect, regardless of their physical or mental challenges. It is also about the need to provide opportunities to all, a battle that we still have a long way to go before we can declare victory,” he said.

With Kunze Kwashata Uko, Sweto continues to combine personal experience, cultural preservation, and social commentary, aiming to engage readers while highlighting important societal issues.