About

I am Chishimba M Lumbwe, a medical scientist turned writer. I am a specialist in diabetes and hormone diseases. Over the years I have put on another hat writing about social/political issues like slavery, colonialism and neocolonialism. I have also written education materials for patients on 63 diseases in Bemba.

Background/Education

My writing career started after the trauma of being on the frontline of looking after the initial AIDS/HIV patients. I watched hopelessly and helplessly as thousands of my patients died of AIDS, as in those years there was no treatment. I wrote my first book, Too Young To Die, to document, what most Zambians were going through as the disease killed hundreds of Zambians every single day.

I am a physician, specialized in internal medicine, diabetes and hormone problems.

What qualifies any writer? It's the passion to share their stories and in my case to throw light in areas where I perceive darkness.

Inspiration

I write fiction, literally fiction, satire, patient education books in Bemba, and Bemba Quiz books. These writings are in the form of full length novels, novelettes, and short stories.

There's great satisfaction in seeing a finished product that adds to humanity's knowledge pool.

For me, I see so many unmet needs that I set out to address. A case in point is the ignorance by Zambians about the history of slavery and colonialism. That was a big hole that needed filling. Then the recognition of getting 5 Ngoma Awards nominations and winning 3 Ngoma Awards for 3 different books has encouraged me to continue writing.

Feedback from my readers is an important fillip.

The biggest challenge has been the dire lack of traditional publishers in Zambia. The second challenge is that Zambians love to read foreign books and books on self-help more than they read fiction books by fellow Zambians. There's work to be done here! The third challenge is to change our marketing strategies. Gen Z and millennials are not likely to walk into Bookworld to buy books. No. We should meet them and sell to them on social media. So, we need a paradigm shift in marketing.

No one is perfect. The few times I have encountered criticism have made me relook at my product and improve on it.

Hobbies

I love playing chess on-the internet, playing my guitar literally every day, and playing golf as frequently as I can. Gardening is a daily hobby.

Past Projects

Right now I am finalising Book 2 and Book 3 of Not My Brothers Keeper. Book 2 is on Colonialism and Book 3 is on Neocolonialism.

My published books are:

1. Too Young To Die - A Young doctor's Account of the Traumatising Start of the HIV/AIDS Pandemic
2. Ukuli Nsoke Takufwa Muntu - Icitabo Cakufunda Pa Malwele
3. Sundu! - A Story of Political Intrigue in A Fictional African Country
4. Not My Brothers Keeper - The Sordid Tale of How Africa South of the Sahara Succumbed to Slavery, Colonialism, and Neocolonialism
5. Ruminations - Politicians, Politicians Everywhere, but Hardly a Statesman in Sight!
6. Albert Einstein in the Belgian Congo, and Other Short Stories, Plays and One Soliloquy
7. A series of short stories in 6 books in Bemba
8. Kalapashi Wa Cibemba Books 1 and 2