South African author Nadia Davids wins the 2024 Caine Prize for her short story Birdling! Her work was chosen out of a record-breaking pool of 320 entries from across 28 African countries.

Chair of Judges, Chika Unigwe describes Birdling as 

an impressive achievement, a triumph of language, storytelling and risk-taking while maintaining a tightly controlled narrative about women who rebel. It embodies the spirit of the Caine Prize, which is to celebrate the richness and diversity of short stories by African writers. That is to say, to challenge the single story of African literature.

Davids, a writer, theater-maker and scholar, made her debut with the novel An Imperfect Blessing which was shortlisted for Pan-African Etisalat Prize for Literature. Her plays have been staged throughout Southern Africa and in Europe and her short fiction and essays have appeared in The American Scholar, The Los Angeles Review of Books, and Zyzzyva Magazine among others. She is also the President Emeritus of PEN South Africa.

Davids is the fourth South African writer to claim the £10,000 prize. Her work will be published in the Caine Prize Anthology Midnight in the Mourge and Other Stories, alongside the shortlisted and workshop authors. Runners-up Tryphena Yeboah, Samuel Kolawole, Uche Okonkwo and Pemi Aguda will receive a prize of £500. 

The Caine Prize for African Writing has shaped the careers of African writers for 25 years, offering unmatched opportunities, fellowships, and routes for publication. The organization works to connect readers with African writers through a series of public events and also helps emerging writers in Africa enter the world of mainstream publishing through the annual Caine Prize writers’ workshop.

Ellah Wakatama OBE, Chair of The Caine Prize Board of Trustees, sums up this year’s award saying, “I was delighted by the range and ambition of this year’s shortlisted stories. It is especially pleasing to see writers many will recognise and to introduce new voices. As we enter into our 25th year, it’s wonderful to have such a strong shortlist and formidable Nadia Davis as our winner.”

You can read the gorgeous winning story Bridling here and check out Brittle Paper‘s coverage of the 2024 Caine Prize here!

Congratulations to Nadia Davids on her well-deserved win!