Award Ceremony etisalat

After months of suspense and rigorous judging sessions and announcement of the 2015 shortlist, it is down to the unveiling of the Prize recipient, as the Award Ceremony of Africa’s prestigious literary award, the 2015 Etisalat Prize for Literature is only a few days away.

Anxiety is at fever pitch among literary enthusiasts across Africa just like the last 2 editions. Though the event is on March 19, 2016 it appears Africa can hardly wait to see the next debut literary star to be awarded the 2015 Etisalat Prize for Literature.

Two of the shortlisted writers, Penny Busetto with her book, The Story of Anna P, as Told by Herself and Rehana Rossouw, author of What Will People Say? are from South Africa and the only person standing between them and the Prize is Democratic Republic of Congo’s Fiston Mwanza Mujila, author Tram 83.

The shortlisted writers will kick of this year’s edition of Etisalat Prize for Literature multi-city book tour at the 2016 edition of Time of the Writer in University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban, South Africa with book reading sessions and book donation to City of Durban Library. This event is closely followed by Lagos Book Reading and this year’s Award Ceremony which will embody the theme Representing the Diversity of African Voices by showcasing the richness of Africa and how our diversity converges into one unique voice of the continent. It promises to be an exciting event with performances ranging from poetry, monologues and musical performances by Darey and Asa.

Here are the key highlights of the Prize journey so far;

2013 Prize

January 2014: Shortlist Announced –

  • Bom Boy by Yewande Omotoso (Nigeria)
  • Finding Soutbek by Karen Jennings (South Africa)
  • We Need New Names by NoViolet Bulawayo (Zimbabwe)

February 23, 2014

  • Winner announced: We Need New Names by NoViolet Bulawayo (Zimbabwe)

2014 Prize

December 2014: Shortlist Announced

  • An Imperfect Blessing by Nadia Davids (South Africa)
  • Happiness, Like Water Chinelo Okparanta (Nigeria)
  • Penumbra by Songeziwe Mahlangu (South Africa)

March 15, 2015:

  • Winner announced: Penumbra by Songeziwe Mahlangu (South Africa)

2015 Prize

December 2015: Shortlist Announced

  • The Story of Anna P, as Told by Herself by Penny Busetto (South Africa)
  • Tram 83 Fiston Mwanza Mujila (DR Congo)
  • What Will People Say? Rehana Rossouw (South Africa)

March 19, 2016

  • Winner to be announced:

Visit Etisalat Prize for Literature website for more details