This months has seen the announcement of two of the biggest literary prizes in Africa. But this year, Nigeria hasn’t been so lucky. We got one spot on the commonwealth shortlist and zero, on the Caine prize shortlist. And our only Nigerian contestant didn’t make the semi-finals (regionals). Better luck to Nigeria next year.
Fifteenth Caine Prize shortlist:
- Diane Awerbuck (South Africa) “Phosphorescence” in Cabin Fever (Umuzi, Cape Town. 2011)
Read Phosphorescence - Efemia Chela (Ghana/Zambia) “Chicken” in Feast, Famine and Potluck (Short Story Day Africa, South Africa. 2013)
Read Chicken - Tendai Huchu (Zimbabwe) “The Intervention” in Open Road Review, issue 7, New Delhi. 2013
Read The Intervention - Billy Kahora (Kenya) “The Gorilla’s Apprentice” in Granta (London. 2010)
Read The Gorilla’s Apprentice - Okwiri Oduor (Kenya) “My Father’s Head” in Feast, Famine and Potluck (Short Story Day Africa, South Africa. 2013)
Read My Father’s Head
Commonwealth Regional Winners
The Regional Winners of the Commonwealth Short Story Prize were announced on 14 May, 2014. The overall winner will be announced on 13th June.
Africa: Let’s Tell This Story Properly, Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi (Uganda)
Asia: A Day in the Death, Sara Adam Ang (Singapore)
.Canada & Europe: Killing Time, Lucy Caldwell (United Kingdom)
Caribbean: Sending for Chantal, Maggie Harris (Guyana)
Pacific: The Dog and the Sea, Lucy Treloar (Australia)