Barbara C Nkala (Founder and Chief Literary Officer)

Barbara Nkala is a professional writer, editor and publisher. She is the Executive Director of the BCMN Literary Trust. She obtained a Diploma in Education with the University College of Rhodesia (Zimbabwe); a Bachelor of Arts in English and Communication with the University of South Africa (UNISA); a Master of Arts in Leadership and Management with Africa Leadership and Management Academy. She was awarded a PhD by National University of Science and Technology for her work in Education and Literature. Barbara is a former teacher; commissioning editor for Longman Zimbabwe; and she was National Director of International Bible Society-Zimbabwe and Malawi. Currently, she is also Regional Representative of Mennonite World Conference Southern Africa, from 2016 – 2022. Barbara is married to Shadreck Nkala and they have three children and six grandchildren.

Mr Shadreck Nkala (Trustee and Benefactor)

Mr. Shadreck Nkala is the Group Chairman of Telco Holdings International. He is the Current CEO of Telco International subsidiaries, Telco Zimbabwe and Telconet South Africa. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering degree from Lahore University, Pakistan; and an MSc Engineering degree from Cardiff University in Wales, United Kingdom. He is also a Chartered Engineer with the Institute of Electronics and Electrical Engineers, UK. Shadreck is a veteran with over 45 years of experience in Telecommunications Projects and Networks in Zimbabwe and South Africa. He is also formerly a Director of Operations in the Zimbabwe Posts and Telecommunications Corporation (PTC, now TelOne), and also former Divisional Head of TA Electric and Imperial Refrigeration, divisions of TA Holdings; prior to starting Telecontract (Private) Limited in 1991.

Mr John J W P Masuku (Chairman)

John Masuku was born on 10th December 1955, in Harare. He trained at BBC, UK and Radio Deutsche, Germany. Masuku holds a BA Hons degree in Politics and Administration from the University of Zimbabwe and MPhil in Journalism from Stellenbosch University, South Africa. He joined Radio Broadcasting Corporation, African Service (now Radio Zimbabwe) in 1974 as an announcer and read Ndebele novels on air. Later, at Radio Four he produced Abalobi Bakusasa (Tomorrow’s Writers) featuring the reading of poems and their analysis. Masuku established the first journalism college in Bulawayo. He was Bible translator in the early 1980s, and also became a Board member of International Bible Society Zimbabwe, now Biblica. He is currently the Executive Director of Radio VOP. He is married to Agnes, and they have four children and seven grandchildren.

Mrs Sibonile Ngwenya (Chairman, Literary Committee)

Mrs Sibonile Ngwenya is a specialist in the field of banking, finance, and investment. She is a holder of a Bachelor of Commerce Honours Degree in Banking and a Master of Science in Banking & Finance from the National University of Science & Technology (NUST). She also holds a diploma in banking from the Institute of Bankers (IOBZ). She has over twenty years of experience in banking and finance in the Zimbabwe industry at senior managerial level. She is an avid researcher, reader, speaker and writer with a particular interest in the Ndebele, which is her first language. Her desire is to see people embrace the ethos of reading, writing and life-long learning. Her passion is also in seeing economic emancipation through financial literacy, good financial management, and the grooming of entrepreneurs.

Mrs Nomusa Jowah (Administration)

Nomusa Jowah is a Telecommunications Engineer by profession. She attained BSc in Electrical &; Electronic Engineering at Bath University, United Kingdom; and an MBL from UNISA, South Africa. She has worked for five different fixed and mobile network Operators in Zimbabwe and Malawi over the years, holding senior executive positions. She has also worked for an Internet Access Provider.  Her last formal job was that of Marketing Director for an international Telecom Equipment Manufacturer, based in Zimbabwe. Nomsa has served pastorally in her local church for several years.  She has a passion for music and plays the guitar. She has, in the past, written short children’s stories for radio broadcasting, and contributed to Ndebele devotional books.

Dr Eventhough Ndlovu (Literary development)

Eventhough Ndlovu holds a Doctoral Degree in Linguistics from the University of the Free State, South Africa; a Master of Arts Degree in African Language and Literature and a Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree in Ndebele both from the University of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe. He is currently a Senior Lecturer and Chairperson in the Department of African Languages and Literature at the University of Zimbabwe. He is also a Research Fellow in the Department of South African Sign Language and Deaf Studies at the University of the Free State, South Africa. His research interests are in African Literature, Lexicography, Translation, Interpreting, Editing, Language Planning, Policy and Management.

Ms Dumisani N Nkala (Finance and Audit)

Ms Dumisani Nomagugu Nkala is the Finance Director at Telco Holdings International. She holds a Bachelor of Business Science (Information Systems Hons UCT) and an MBA with the Gordon Institute of Business Science (University of Pretoria). She is a telecommunications professional with almost 20 years operations experience with leading voice and data operations teams, business leadership, new business development, financial management and service management. She is a fully accredited member of the Institute of Information Technology Professional in South Africa (IITPSA).