What if your dreams cost you everything, time, peace, belonging, and yet, you still refused to give up? That’s the journey of Gambizayo Ziko, a brutally honest and beautifully told story of survival, hope, and the burning need to be seen in a world that rarely stops to listen.
Written by Terence Phiri, this novel isn’t just a story. It’s a movement. A voice for young people crushed under the weight of expectations. A mirror for anyone who’s felt like the outsider, the underdog, the misunderstood.
A Story Carved from Struggle, and Lit with Hope
Gambi’s life begins in the vibrant but unforgiving streets of Misisi compound in Lusaka, an environment where hope is a scarce resource, and survival is an achievement. Raised by a fearless, prayer-warrior mother and a community shaped by struggle, Gambi’s story is full of bruises, both physical and emotional. But in those wounds lies an unstoppable drive.
This isn’t a rags-to-riches cliché. It’s raw. It’s real. It’s what it looks like to fight battles no one sees, family secrets, rejection, delayed dreams, near-death experiences, self-doubt, loneliness, and the haunting silence of unanswered prayers.
“He wrote poems he never recited and penned down goals he never achieved. He sought refuge within himself, and poetry became his escape.”
You’ll feel every heartbreak, every flicker of hope, and every “almost gave up” moment.
From the Dust of Chipata to a Foreign Land
We follow Gambi from the rocky playgrounds of Chipata to the elite hallways of Chizongwe Boys’, and eventually to Europe, where the snow is thick but the loneliness is thicker. As a foreign student in a land where acceptance comes slowly, Gambi battles more than just language barriers, he wrestles with identity, culture shock, and the daily fear of invisibility.
“One of us is not part of us. He is a stranger among us.”
But even far from home, the voice of his mother, the prayers of his grandmother, and the unshakable pulse of purpose drive him forward.
A Launch That Announced a Movement
The official launch of Gambizayo Ziko was not just a book event. it was a moment in Zambian literary history.
Held in Lusaka, the launch attracted an eclectic mix of readers, artists, politicians, and young changemakers. Among the distinguished guests was Patriotic Front (PF) Vice President, Hon. Given Lubinda, whose presence underscored the national significance of this project.
The event was vibrant, full of passion, inspiration, and purpose. With moving readings, heartfelt testimonies, and powerful endorsements, the launch marked the beginning of a remarkable future for the book, and for its author. It wasn’t just a launch. It was a declaration that Zambia’s stories matter, and that the world needs to hear them.
Why You Need This Book
- If you’ve ever felt stuck between who you are and who you want to be.
- If you’ve ever questioned your timing, your choices, or your worth.
- If you believe that your story still matters, no matter where you’re from or what you’ve been through…
Then Gambizayo Ziko is the book you didn’t know you needed.
It doesn’t preach. It reminds you. That your scars are proof of survival. That the road to purpose is not paved with ease, but with meaning. That even if no one claps, you must keep going.
How to Get Your Copy
Published by Zambian ARTS Publishing House, Gambizayo Ziko is now available for purchase from our bookstore. Click here to order this book in hardcopy.
Curious about publishing your own book?
Terence’s publisher, Zambian ARTS Publishing House, offers tailored publishing packages to help you turn your ideas into reality. Publish your book with Zambian ARTS Publishing House! Explore our available publishing packages and choose the one that best fits your budget and needs. Let’s work together to turn your writing dreams into something extraordinary.
Subscribe to our Basic Marketing Package today and receive a professionally written blog post like this one. We’ll also list your book (eBook or hardcopy) for sale in our bookstore. Connect with your readers in style—only with Zambian ARTS.
