In a society that often ignores taboo and difficult topics one author dove nose first into telling a powerful story that a nation often sweeps under the carpet. Tendai Huchu was born in Bindura, Zimbabwe in 1982. He is now based in Scotland where he works as an acclaimed novelist, short story writer, podiatrist and champion runner. 

In 2010, Huchu published the revolutionary novel, ‘The Hairdresser of Harare.’ The story chronicles the life of Vimbai, a talented hairdresser whose life is upturned by the arrival of the handsome and charismatic Dumisani, a young man who begins working as a hairdresser at the salon. Vimbai at first is weary of Dumisani but they soon form a bond as the narrative moves. The arrival will have far lasting effects on many lives, with many never returning to what they used to be. The book has gained popularity across the world and has been translated in languages such as German, Italian and French. With his debut novel, the writer presented the world with a face of Zimbabwe often unseen but yet told so honestly and bravely by Huchu.

His sophomore novel ‘The Maestro, The Magistrate and the Mathematician’ was released in 2014. It centres on three Zimbabwean friends in Scotland of which one is spy. Huchu also writes the fantasy series Edinburgh Nights that consist of five novels so far. The first novel is ‘The Library of the Dead’ released in 2021. The lead character in the series is Ropa who has the ability to speak to ghosts in order to solve mysteries that surround the dystopic land she inhabits. 

Huchu has also been rewarded for his work including a shortlist for the 2014 Caine Prize for African Writing and two Nommo Awards for his speculative fiction. He is also the recipient of the Hawthornden Fellowship and Sacatar Fellowship. 

Huchu is currently working on a collection of short stories with a theme of noir Harare. The project is similar to the noir projects that have been done by Edwidge Danticat for Haiti. Outside his work life, Huchu is also an enthusiastic runner and his social media pages show him actively on runs. He has run the Edinburgh Marathon multiple times.