Ugandan writers miss Commonwealth award

Feb 18, 2007

UGANDAN authors did not make it to the regional competition for the commonwealth writers’ prize shortlist. Prof. Arthur Shatto Gakwandi, the chairperson of the regional panel, said only 12 authors were shortlisted out of the 48 entries of books authored by African writers in Commonwealth countrie

By Flavia Nakagwa

UGANDAN authors did not make it to the regional competition for the commonwealth writers’ prize shortlist. Prof. Arthur Shatto Gakwandi, the chairperson of the regional panel, said only 12 authors were shortlisted out of the 48 entries of books authored by African writers in Commonwealth countries.

“We hope next time we will successful,” Gakwandi said.

Along with Prof. Ciarunji Chesaina of the University of Nairobi and Prof. Femi Abodunrin of the University of Malawi, the panel selected six authors for the best book and six best first time authors.

Out of the 12 authors nine were South African, who dominated in both categories. Some of the shortlisted books were: Native Commissioner by Shaun Johnson (South Africa), What Kind of Child by Ken Barris (South Africa), Half of a Yellow Sun, by chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Nigeria), The Wizard of the Crow by Ngugi wa Thiong’o (Kenya), Playing in the Light by Zoe Wicomb (South Africa) and Umuzi Song of the Atman, by Ronnie govender (South Africa).

Gakwandi said the winner of the 21st commonwealth writers’ prize would be announced on May 27 at the Calabash International Literary festival in Jamaica.

He added that the two prizes were of £1,000 each for the best book and the best first book categories.

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