Story by Silibaziso Dlodlo
A National University of Science and Technology (NUST) student has stepped into Zimbabwe’s literary spotlight after releasing a debut poetry anthology that explores identity, liberation and emotional resilience beyond the classroom.
Third-year accounting student Ropafadzo Chaparira has published her first anthology, ‘Not Chains But A Crown,’ a 30-poem collection that interrogates emotional labour, womanhood and collective responsibility in contemporary society.
The anthology draws from personal and shared experiences, focusing particularly on the often-unspoken pressures faced by firstborn daughters, while also reimagining biblical narratives to highlight hidden struggles beneath outward strength.
Speaking at the launch, Chaparira described the collection as “a journey from silence to sovereignty,” saying the poems confront expectations placed on individuals to suppress pain and project resilience.
“’Not Chains But A Crown’ is an anthology that contains 30 pieces of poetry. It is a collection of voices traded from silence to sovereignty. The anthology explores themes such as emotional labour, where individuals are often expected to suppress feelings of sadness, frustration and exhaustion while only displaying positivity. It also explores themes of resilience and liberation,” she said.
One of the standout poems, Deborah’s Hands, reinterprets a biblical figure often portrayed as healed and unwavering, revealing the unseen battles endured in private spaces.
Beyond centering women’s experiences, the anthology also calls for shared responsibility in addressing social challenges, with a particular emphasis on the role of men as allies.
“The anthology also speaks to men who are ready to become allies. Through poems such as How to Love a Firstborn Woman, I hope readers understand that the message speaks to women in general, not only firstborn daughters, teaching how to love, support and uplift women, and encouraging men to become allies in lightening the load in the journey towards liberation,” she added.
‘Not Chains But A Crown’ marks Chaparira’s formal entry into Zimbabwe’s literary space, positioning her as an emerging voice that uses poetry as a tool for healing, dialogue and social reflection, while balancing academic life with creative expression.
