contending the Commonwealth Africa region literacy prize
20 February 2009
It speaks to the outstanding literary talent in our country that the five
authors shortlisted for the best book from the Africa region are all from South
Africa. A fantastic feat for this much valued and sought after award.
This is a noted, annual accolade to Commonwealth writers for the best
English fiction. It ensures that works of merit reach a wider world audience.
Another aspect of the coveted prize is to promote new voices through the best
first book prize and here too of the five selected authors for the Africa
region, four are from South Africa and one from Nigeria. This is an
extraordinary achievement indeed!
The best book category is comprised exclusively of South Africans. They are
former regional winner, Damon Galgut (The Impostor, Penguin,) academic Tim
Keegan (My Life with the Duvals, Umuzi) and poet and activist, Mandla Langa
(The lost colours of the Chameleon, Picador Africa.)
Women writers have staked their claims with highly acclaimed authors,
Sindiwe Magona (Beautyâs gift, Kwela) and Zoe Wicomb (The One That Got Away,
Umuzi) joining the list.
In the last few years these writers have won numerous awards and other
accolades to emerge as formidable and widely recognised figures on the world
literary scene. Congratulations to both the seasoned authors and the first time
authors shortlisted for these highly competitive awards. May they chalk up
further successes
This latest achievement not only confirms their status as the pre-eminent
creative intellectuals, but is a well deserved honour for men and women who
have turned creative writing into an instrument for self-expression to reflect
this transitional phase of our history.
Their achievements have inspired a new generation of writers who are staking
their own claims amongst new authors. Thus the first book category, again, is
dominated by five South Africans in a highly competitive short list of six.
They include Jassy Mackenzie (Random Violence, Umuzi), Megan Voysey-Braig
(Till We Can Keep an Animal, Jacana Media,) Chris Mamewick (Sheperds and
Butchers, Umuzi) Sue Rabie (Boston Snowplough, Human & Rousseau) and Jane
Bennet (Porcupine, Kwela Books.)
The only outsider is Nigerian author Uwem Akpan who joined his South African
counterparts with his debut novel ironically titled, âSay You Are One of Themâ
(Abacus).
The achievements of both these established and first-time writers
consolidates the potential of the South African story and talent to intuitively
connect and resonate with readers in the whole wide world. Their stories have
been inspired by the turmoil and optimism that characterizes a society that is
undergoing a fundamental power shift.
The commonwealth writersâ prize is a coveted prize in international literary
competition. But that South African writers will now go on to represent the
continent at a global level is a giant leap for our creative talent.
This makes our writersâ special voices when it comes to telling the human
story of the 21st century in a globalised world. We are very proud that both
our established and emergent writers are the ambassadors for the creative
talent that comes from the African continent.
It remains the mandate of the Department of Arts and Culture to create
international and economic opportunities for all artists, including writers, to
not only earn a living through their art but express their talent.
This outstanding achievement is evidence that South African talent is
amongst of the best on the continent and the whole wide world.
For further details call:
Sandile Memela
Spokesman for the Minister of Arts and Culture
Cell: 082 800 3750
Or
Premi Appalraju
Media Liaison Officer
Cell: 082 903 6778
Issued by: Department of Arts and Culture
20 February 2009
