If history can be our reference, you will know that story-telling is Africa’s forte.
Our entire culture, political system, spiritual belief and art of sharing knowledge was through story-telling in through literary, visual and performance art form. Which only makes sense to celebrate forms of our identity – writing is one of them.
This year the, 2016 Etisalat Prize for Literature has recognized 9 outstanding recently published African writers on their eloquent skills in the art of verbal jest. African writers stretching from Nigeria to South Africa were meticulously, carefully hand-picked by three judges. Namely Nigerian novelist and poet Helon Habila, South African writivist Elinor Sisulu and Ivorian writer Edwige Rene Dro.
The shortlisted authors are:
- Julie Iromuanya, author of Mr. and Mrs. Doctor published by Coffee House Press, USA
- Mohale Mashigo, author of The Yearning, published by PanMacmillan, South Africa.
- Nakhane Toure, author of Piggy’s Boy Blues, published by Blackbird Books imprint of Jacana Media, South Africa
- Jen Thorpe, author of The Peculiars, published by Penguin Random House, USA
- Elnathan John, author of Born on a Tuesday, published by Cassava Republic, Nigeria.
- Jowhor Ile, author of And After Many Days, published by Farafina an imprint of Kichifo Limited, Nigeria
- Andrew Miller, author of Dub Steps, published by Jacana Media, South Africa
- Jacqui L’Ange, author of The Seed Thief, published by Umuzi Publishers, South Africa
- Unathi Magubeni, author of Nwuzelenga:The Star Child, published by Black Bird Books imprint of Jacana Media, South Africa
The winner of the prize will be announced in March, and will receive £15,000, an engraved Montblanc Meisterstück pen, and an Etisalat-sponsored fellowship at the University of East Anglia to be mentored by renowned Professor Giles Foden, author of The Last King of Scotland.
