The Chronicle
17 February 2013
VETERAN journalist and former editor of Chronicle  Stephen Mpofu has published his third book titled Creatures at the Top. The book, which seeks to add a voice in the political history of the country, will be officially launched at the National Gallery in Bulawayo next Thursday. It was published in the United Kingdom.
“The book entitled Creatures at the Top, will be launched next week to add its own voice to an outcry against corruption permeating into various structures of the Zimbabwean society. It also decries rampant gallivanting by some people impelled by their obscenely fat bank accounts,†said Mpofu.
This is the third book by the veteran journalist  after Shadows on the Horizon (1984) and Zambezi Waters run Still, a sociological novel published in 1996.
“The book will be launched by the Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, Senator David Coltart and is a true story of the road traveled by Zimbabweans in exile through to independence and has its setting both in Zambia and Zimbabwe.
“I was pushed by the need to pen down the political history of Zimbabwe and my life in exile in Zambia and back home. It is part of the political history of the country trying to show the tribulations of life in exile and the joys of genuine appreciation for work well done,†said Mpofu.
The book also highlights the roles played by neighbouring countries, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia, in the liberation war.
Creatures at the Top also dwells much on an independent Zimbabwe, highlighting the economic imbalances where some enriched themselves while the majority are poor.
“Now corrupt tendencies by some creatures who put self before the country have provoked a hue and cry even from those creatures at the top, who abhor or pretend to do so, the various nasty narratives that stand as obstacles to social, economic and political advancement,†said Mpofu.
He has also written a political satire, The man with one eye and one ear, although it is yet to be published.
Mpofu is also finalising another publication on the country’s successful land reform programme comparing with similar programmes in Namibia and South Africa.
Mpofu said the book would be called ‘Little hearts can also dance’.
Mpofu was born in Mberengwa District where he did his education.
The former editor, who retired in 2001, trained at Africa Literature Centre, Zambia in 1963 and lived in exile in the neighbouring country for 17 years.
From 1965 to 1980, he worked for The Times in Lusaka where he rose through the ranks to become Assistant Editor.
He returned to Zimbabwe to become the first black News Editor of The Herald in 1981.
He rose to become Senior Assistant Editor until 1987 when he became Sunday Mail Editor for two years.
Mpofu was then moved to Chronicle in Bulawayo where he headed the paper for 12 years until his retirement in 2001.
He taught briefly in the Department of Journalism and Media Studies at the National University of Science and Technology and later left to concentrate on writing his latest book.
He remains a writer, as he is a columnist at Chronicle while he is also a member of the Board of Directors at New Ziana.