We bring to you the human poachers

Elias Mutani, 40, is the author of several books and an activist. This year, one of his books, Human Poachers was has won the Burt Awards for African Literature (BAAL).   He shares with Success more about his winning title.

What do you have to say after winning the Burt Award for African Literature in Tanzania?

I always wanted to know how a moment such as this feels like. I am thankful to organisers and the jury for picking my work and make it leave a mark in the publishing media. It was through God’s own guidance that enabled my book to outshine other reputable authors who I respect. 

What inspired you to write Human Poachers?

When I realised BBC and other international media were reporting how people with albinism were facing prejudice and death, and when I found local media was doing nothing to educate the society apart from reporting the incidences of killings or attempts, I said not under my watch.  

How has writing Human Poachers changed you?

Writing this book has brought me closer to the people with albinism. It has made me to cement my stand against the brutal treatment to our fellow human beings. The work on this book forced me to research on the assumptions I had about people with albinism, to verify my opinions and to communicate my findings in the most jovial stance as I could. It also tells me that I have become responsible for I have played my part and so I have become an activist.  

Why is writing about people with albinism important to you?

Writing about anything is important to me, but writing about albinism was more important because I live what I write.

What advice do you give to upcoming writers?

There is no more enjoyable moment than seeing your book  published and you get recognized for it. They should keep on writing and never get discouraged.

Is Human Poachers your first book?

This is not my first book. It is my first novel to be published. I have written a number of non-fiction books about scouting, counseling, life skills, etc. This book became popular after winning this years’ Burt Award. 

How did you enter the contest and what happened during the time until you won the BURT award?

My work was submitted to organisers through Longhorn Publishers who later informed me that my book was shortlisted for award winning. After waiting for more than one year, I was again told that my book was among the three to be awarded. 

What keeps you going in your writing work?

Writing has become a routine to me. I always find myself alone in my room or office with a blank page. It is from this discipline that I keep on writing, hoping to give people more books to read.

Is writing a highly paying job?

A writer is inspired by passion - not pennies. A writer’s mind should always be fixed on changing the lives of their readers and give them happiness. Money comes in when the book is really good and sold many copies. It is after that when you will come to know whether it is a highly paying job or not.

What are the challenges were you going through when writing Human Poachers?

Reaching out to the people with albinism was the most challenge I faced. Many attempts to reach them through their registered organisation ended in vain. But I thank few families that shared with me how it felt to live with albinism. 

What are your future plans as a story teller?

I wish to write about the future itself. I want to imagine and envision what the world’s future could be like.

Apart from writing what do you do?

I am a psyotherapist, an entrepreneur and a scoutmaster.

For how long you have been writing

Almost every writer has such experience of beginning to write as a teenager, but writing has remained constant in my life for the past five years, especially after attending a training of creative writing organized by Children’s Book Project; a Non Government Organization committed to improved readership in Tanzania. 

What advice do you give to organizers of Burt award in order to improve the contest?

Despite doing a good job, the organisers should maintain the series of BURT award events in a fixed schedule. I also suggest for short and simple book launch.