Gists: Etisalat Prize For Literature 2015 Grand Finale Set To Hold On March 19

After several months of suspense and rigorous judging sessions and announcement of the 2015 shortlist, it is time for to the unveiling of the Prize recipient, as the award ceremony of Africa’s prestigious literary award, theEtisalat Prize for Literature 2015 is only a few days away.

The event is set to hold on Saturday, 19th of March, 2016.

The remaining shortlisted writers are South African authors Penny Busetto with her book, The Story of Anna P, as Told by Herself and Rehana Rossouw, author of What Will People Say? as well as Democratic Republic of Congo’s Fiston Mwanza Mujila, author Tram 83. 

The shortlisted writers will kick off this year’s edition of Etisalat Prize for Literature multi-city book tour at the 2016 edition of Time of the Writer in University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban, South Africa with book reading sessions and book donation to City of Durban Library. This event is closely followed by Lagos Book Reading; and this year’s Award Ceremony which will embody the theme Representing the Diversity of African Voices by showcasing the richness of Africa and how our diversity converges into one unique voice of the continent. It promises to be an exciting event with performances ranging from poetry, monologues, and musical performances by Darey and Asa.

Here are the key highlights of the Prize journey so far:

2013 Edition

January 2014: Shortlist Announced – Bom Boy by Yewande Omotoso (Nigeria) | Finding Soutbek by Karen Jennings (South Africa) | We Need New Names byNoViolet Bulawayo (Zimbabwe)

February 23, 2014: Grand Finale at the Federal Palace Hotel | Winner: NoViolet Bulawayo (We Need New Names)

2014 Edition

December 2014: Shortlist Announced – An Imperfect Blessing by Nadia Davids(South Africa) | Happiness, Like Water by Chinelo Akparanta (Nigeria) | Penumbra by Songeziwe Mahlangu (South Africa)

March 15, 2015: Grand Finale at the InterContinental Lagos Hotel | Winner:Songeziwe Mahlangu (Penumbra)

2015 Edition

December 2015: Shortlist Announced – The Story of Anna P, as Told by Herselfby Penny Busetto (South Africa) | Tram 83 by Fiston Mwanza Mujila (DR Congo) | What Will People Say? by Rehana Rossouw (South Africa)

March 19, 2016: Grand Finale at the InterContinental Lagos Hotel | Winner: TBA

See highlights from the past editions below.