Three Nigerians, one South African and Ghanaian respectively have been shortlisted for the 2024 Caine Prize for African Writing.
The Caine Prize for African Writing celebrates the richness and diversity of African literature and recognizes outstanding achievements in African storytelling.
The five African writers for the 2024 awards are Samuel Kolawole (Nigeria) for ‘Adjustment of Status’, New England Review, Vol. 44, #3 (Summer 2023); Uche Okonkwo (Nigeria) for ‘Animals’, ZYZZYVA (2024); Pemi Aguda (Nigeria) for ‘Breastmilk’, One Story, Issue #227 (2021); Nadia Davids (South Africa) for ‘Bridling’, The Georgia Review (2023) and Tryphena Yeboah (Ghana) for ‘The Dishwashing Women’, Narrative Magazine (Fall 2022).
The winner, which will be announced on September 17 via a pre-recorded address, will receive a £10,000 prize, while each writer shortlisted for the Caine Prize will be awarded £500.
The Chair of Judges, Chika Unigwe, noted that the shortlist and the honorable mention (Zimbabwe’s Yvette Ndlovu) spanned four countries and included writers at various stages of their promising careers.
“The judging process was both challenging and rewarding. We read over 200 eligible stories, uncovering many gems from both familiar and new writers. Our discussions were passionate, and when we reached our (unofficial) longlist, we wished we could have included every story. Our consolation is knowing that these works are out in the world, being read, recognized with other prizes, and receiving the attention they deserve,” she stated.
Unigwe added that the shortlisted stories range from speculative to realistic, cover diverse subject matters but share a common thread: they are compelling, universal human stories.
She added, “They offer insights into our societies, governments, cultures, and the broader world, ultimately posing the fundamental question that all great art asks: How do we navigate life? They explore this question with empathy, thoughtfulness, humor, and prose that is both sublime and accessible.”
“So, how do we navigate life? In these stories, we do so with regrets, survival, performance, resistance, and ultimately, living. Throughout, we strive to be seen. We are incredibly proud of this outstanding shortlist and our honorable mention. Congratulations to all the writers!”
All of the shortlisted stories will be published in The Caine Prize Anthology alongside stories written at the Caine Prize Workshop, held this year in Malawi.
Similarly, Chair of The Caine Prize Board of Trustees, Ellah Wakatama (OBE), said “As Chair, I look forward to using the 2024 Prize as an opportunity to amplify my publishing colleagues’ efforts to highlight Africa’s rich writing history and showcasing the best of Africa’s new voices. I hope that this year’s format will spark wide curiosity and interest in past and contemporary literature from the country that birthed and influenced this year’s winner.
“This fresh approach also ties in with our goal of hosting more events on the continent during our 25th Anniversary celebrations. For 24 years the Prize has helped bring African writers to the literary world stage. We are now taking the world to Africa and its writers. We welcome your encouragement, support, and commitment as we boldly move forward.”
All of the shortlisted stories will be published in The Caine Prize Anthology alongside stories written at the Caine Prize Workshop, held this year in Malawi.
Also, the shortlisted writers will be integrated into the Caine Prize’s 25th anniversary celebrations, participating in a ‘meet the writers’ event, and appearing alongside past winners and shortlisted writers in readings and discussions held at partner institutions.
Celebrations will include tribute events for late writers who won or were shortlisted for the Prize such as Zimbabwe’s Charles Mungoshi and Kenya’s Binyavanga Wainana.
