"The Smoke That Thunders" by Tendai Machingaidze

MOSI OA TUNYA REVIEW is a passion project born out of my experience as an aspiring writer from Zimbabwe. Beginning in 2013, my short stories have been published by Weaver Press Zimbabwe, Africa Book Club, The Kalahari Review, Lawino, African Roar, Munyori Literary Journal, Open Road Review, Brittle Paper, and soon to come, Down River Road. My debut novel, "Acacia" was published by African Perspectives Publishing in 2014.

Over the years, I have reviewed countless calls for submissions from literary magazines from around the world. Through the struggle to publish my writing, I have become acutely aware of the paucity of platforms and opportunities available for voices from Africa. Becoming a published author is a grueling task for anyone, but the lack of publications that focus on, and value, writing from African perspectives, makes it that much harder for budding storytellers from Africa to have their voices heard, even within their own communities.

In recent years, there has been a rise in online literary platforms in Africa which is encouraging, but there is still much work to be done. I have partnered with my mum, Ellen Machingaidze, who is also a writer and an editor, to bring MOSI OA TUNYA REVIEW to life, in an effort to fill the gap. We believe that African voices should tell their stories to the world, not only in English, but in indigenous languages as well. Our unique vision is for MOSI OA TUNYA REVIEW to be a multi-lingual, pan-African magazine that publishes writing in all of Zimbabwe's 16 official languages. Our hope is that this will inspire a renewed and sustainable effort to develop modern Zimbabwean writing, and literature in Africa as a whole.

MOSI OA TUNYA means "The Smoke That Thunders." It is one of the many wonderfully descriptive local names for the Victoria Falls. Why? Because you hear the falls long before you ever see them:

A thundering roar heard from kilometers away Mist rising high in the sky like a great cloud of smoke Powerful. Pounding. Penetrating

An undeniable force of nature

The mighty Zambezi and The Great Batoka Gorge

I stand in awe

Consumed and yet complete.

It is the indescribable feeling I get whenever I visit Vic Falls that inspired the name of our literary review. It is the same breathless contentment that comes from reading a perfectly crafted story or poem. It is the feeling we want to share with the world.

Check out our Call for Submissions for our inaugural issue.

Follow us on Instagram and Twitter @MosioatunyaMag for current updates.

We look forward to this new adventure with you!