The Bank Windhoek Doek Literary Awards has announced a shortlist of twelve writers across four categories for its inaugural edition. The writers are shortlisted (3 each) under the categories of Fiction, Non-Fiction, Poetry and Visual Art.

The 2021 shortlist, drawn from an earlier announced longlist, “spotlights works with themes that highlight the complex realities of Namibian life.”

The judges said in a statement: “Our mandate, to choose works which best displayed the diversity of literary creation in the country from a longlist of 28 works, made the selection process challenging but interesting. All the entries featured on the longlist were wonderful, and we wish all the storytellers strength and determination as they create their future works. Namibia’s population may be small, but its artists produce works that cover a wide creative spectrum. With this year’s shortlist, we hope we have showcased just that.”

See the shortlist below, scroll down to see authors’ photos and, for their photos, go here. The winners will be announced in November 2021. Congratulations to the authors!

FICTION

• “December” by Filemon Iiyambo (Issue 4: November, 2020)
• “The Letter” by Dalene Kooper (Issue 4: November, 2020)
• “Silhouette” by Ndawedwa Denga Hanghuwo (Issue 5: March, 2021)

NON-FICTION

• “Is There A Doctorate In The House?” by Frowin Becker (Issue 5: March, 2021) • “Auralgraph: Spice In The Wind” by Ndakolute Ndilula (Issue 5: March, 2021)
• “Ouma Sofie’s Gold” by Natasha Uys (Issue 6: July, 2021)

POETRY

• “Queens In Your Bloodline” by Ros Limbo (Issue 3: July, 2020)
• “Green And Greening” by Pauline Buhle Ndhlovu (Issue 4: November, 2020) • “From The Fury Of A Dying Sun” by Alacia Armstrong (Issue 5: March, 2021)

VISUAL ART

• “Chrysalis” by Namafu Amutse (Issue 4: November, 2020)
• “Becoming Home” by Katherine Hunter (Issue 4: November, 2020) • “Reach” by Immanuel Natangwe Hafeni (Issue 5: March, 2021)