The Mwl. Nyerere Prize for Creative Writing
The Tanzania Education Authority (TEA) under the Ministry of Education is inviting submissions for the Mwalimu Nyerere National Award for Creative Writing in Swahili. This award was established to recognize talented writers and to promote the Swahili language as a medium of creative and cultural expression.
Deadline: 30th November 2025 | Total Prize: TSh 22 million ($8,800)
Prize Details
- Ten winners will receive certificates, with three top winners awarded cash prizes.
- Open to all Tanzanian writers working in Swahili.
Categories
- Poetry
- Prose
- Children’s stories
- Drama
Submission Guidelines for the Mwl. Nyerere Prize
- Poetry and novel manuscripts: Microsoft Word format.
- Children’s stories: PDF format.
- Drama/Fiction: FDX or PDF format.
- Appendix should include: the title of the work and the category entered.
- First page must state: the title of the work and the total word count (or number of verses for poetry).
- All pages must be numbered.
- Manuscripts must be anonymous (no personal details included).
In the body of the submission email, authors must provide:
- Full name (three names)
- Pen name (if any)
- Gender
- Phone number
- Address
- Short biography (max 150 words)
- Age
This information must not be sent as an attachment.
Additional Requirements
- Authors must sign a declaration form confirming that their manuscript is original and unpublished in any form (including online or in newspapers). The declaration is available here.
- All entries should be emailed to: tuzonyerere@tie.go.tz
Why Enter the Mwl. Nyerere Prize?
The Mwl. Nyerere Prize not only rewards creativity but also strengthens the role of Swahili literature on the global stage. Writers can use this platform to gain recognition, showcase their work, and contribute to the preservation and growth of Swahili as a literary language.
Resources for Writers
Before submitting, strengthen your writing with these helpful resources:
This is an opportunity for Tanzanian writers to celebrate their creativity, elevate their voices, and carry forward the literary legacy of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere.
