The New Book – Give Way: An Anthology of Bus Journeys

“No two bus journeys are ever the same.” That simple observation sits at the heart of Luchi Shiki’s debut anthology, Give Way: An Anthology of Bus Journeys. Known to many as an Afro-fusion musician, songwriter, visual artist, and the first female member of Black Umfolosi, Shiki is now adding author to her growing list of creative pursuits. In this candid conversation with Trevor Mawaka, she reflects on the inspiration behind her collection of short stories, describing bus journeys as both a literal and symbolic exploration of human connection

Trevor Mawaka: Congratulations on the release of your book, Give Way: An Anthology of Bus Journeys! A bus journey is such a specific yet shared human experience. What inspired you to use bus journeys as the framework for this collection?

Luchi Shiki: Thank you. Yes, most of us have been on buses. I was inspired to use bus journeys because no two journeys are ever the same. This collection of short stories celebrates that uniqueness while also serving as a metaphor for humanity’s connection to life and to one another. Not only is a lot happening during a bus trip, but a lot is also happening within its passages. There is a beauty in that which I wanted to capture. Just as a lot is happening in life, a lot is also happening within the experience of living.

Trevor Mawaka: You are famously a singer, songwriter, and visual artist. How did writing a book feel different from writing songs like Yim Lo or Senhliziyo? Did you find yourself tapping into a different side of your creativity?

Luchi Shiki: For me, the major difference is that songwriting involves sound, so your lyrics have to leave space for the melody and instruments. With this collection, the words and the plot of each story create space for details that a song does not need to capture. In short stories, the words are the stars. In songwriting, the words share the spotlight with the music.

It didn’t feel like I was tapping into a different side of my creativity because I’ve always enjoyed writing short stories. I had simply never published any in this way before. What gave me confidence was a short story competition in which I was shortlisted. My work was later published in the Luvone Anthology alongside other amazing writers. The anthology was curated by Yvonne Maphosa and edited by Philani A. Nyoni and Busisekile Khumalo.

Trevor Mawaka: If a reader picks up Give Way having never heard your music or seen you perform, what is the main emotion or message you hope they take away from your words?

Luchi Shiki: The main emotion I hope readers take away is comfort. Comfort in knowing that they are not alone in this journey called life. Comfort in knowing that making mistakes is okay and can potentially lead to a better destination than they had hoped for. All my characters reflect that.

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Part 2: Exposure & The Multi-Disciplinary Mindset

Trevor Mawaka: You paint, dance ballet barefoot, sing Afro-fusion, write for Black Umfolosi, and now you’ve published an anthology. Do you see these as separate paths, or do they all feed into one larger artistic vision? How do you choose which medium best fits a specific emotion?

Luchi Shiki: For now, they have all been separate paths, but the older I get, the more I envision them coming together as one larger artistic expression. At the centre of that combination is me, and anyone who has been following my journey—and continues to do so—is in for a treat.

Usually, the emotion chooses the medium through which it wants to be expressed, and I follow that instinct. Sometimes it depends on the creative phase I’m in, and other times it depends on the resources available to me. For the most part, however, the emotion guides me to the medium.

Trevor Mawaka: Many people initially came to know you through the legacy of your father, Sotja Moyo, and your historic role as the first female member of Black Umfolosi. How important has this new literary chapter been in establishing Luchi Shiki as an entirely independent, standalone force in the Zimbabwean arts scene?

Luchi Shiki: I don’t view my literary chapter as a way of cementing my independence from Black Umfolosi or my father. Instead, I see them as interconnected. They all contribute equally, in my eyes, to how I live my life, share my art, and express myself within the Zimbabwean arts scene.

I have had my challenges, but for the most part, I feel blessed to have all these life experiences influencing my creative journey. If anything, this chapter reinforces the idea that Luchi Shiki is an artistic experience from which anyone curious enough to engage can gain a great deal.

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Part 3: Recent Music & Looking Forward

Trevor Mawaka: Your latest single, Senhliziyo, is a beautiful, unapologetic celebration of old-school love and monogamy. Does the romantic vulnerability we hear in Senhliziyo mirror the themes we find within the pages of Give Way?

Luchi Shiki: Senhliziyo is part of the High On Oxy sonic trilogy, while Give Way is my debut book as a long-form writer. There will come a time when my music and literary projects converge, but that is something my audience will have to stick around to experience.

Trevor Mawaka: Now that the book is out and High On Oxy Vol. 2 is unfolding, what boundaries are left for Luchi Shiki to push? What can your growing fan base look forward to next?

Luchi Shiki: As I grow, my storytelling skills grow with me. Oshuga can expect stronger storytelling and more creative work. Fortunately, we live in a world where they can receive regular updates through my social media platforms, and I look forward to sharing everything I’ve been working on.

From music, music videos, merchandise, books, exhibitions, and collaborations, there is so much more to come.