2021 has been a great year for African literature. Writers have scooped up all kinds of international prizes, and publishers had a record output of African books globally. We are excited to bring you a list of individuals and platforms who really stepped up to the plate and contributed towards the successes we celebrated this year.
2021 Person of the Year
Abdulrazak Gurnah
The 2021 honor goes to Tanzanian novelist and scholar Abdulrazak Gurnah, who won the Nobel Prize for Literature on October 7…Regardless of what the world imagines, Gurnah didn’t just burst into the scene this year. He has made a 50-year impact on African literature and the history of the novel more broadly. Read More.
2021 Social Media Influencer of the Year
The Cheeky Natives
Cele and Mokgoroane are a delightful duo. Their chemistry is beautiful to experience and drives attention-grabbing podcast conversations about writing, the reading culture, and various hot-button issues. Read more…
2021 Writer-Activist of the Year
Dr. Stella Nyanzi
Nyanzi was sentenced to 18 months in prison after being charged with harassing Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni on the internet. Museveni, who has been described as authoritarian, has been in power for the last 35 years. Read more…
2021 Academic of the Year
Dr. Uchechukwu Peter Umezurike
Umezurike stands out in his ability to straddle the worlds of academia and mainstream literary culture. He supports fellow writers through published book reviews, interviews, and event curation. He delights readers with literary fiction, poetry, and children’s stories, having published 10 books. Read more…
2021 Publishing House the Year
Masobe
The word “Masobe” comes from the Isoko Language in the Niger Delta region of Nigerian and means “Let Us Read.” The spirit of this tagline is conveyed in the press’s mission “to encourage reading by making available to the public, great books by talented African authors who bring our stories to life.” Read more…
2021 Literary Platform of the Year
Soma Nami Books
They aren’t your regular book store. In addition to offering a well-stocked book shop, they sell coffee and wine, curate a book box subscription service, run a book club, and keep readers engaged with a beautifully-curated Instagram account. That kind of multi-pronged approach to fostering book culture is the heart of a solid literary platform. Read More…
