Ugandan Gets Writers Prize
A Ugandan children writer, Susan Mugizi Kajura scooped the Macmillan writers prize for Africa 2002, to carry home US$3,000.<br>
By Reuben Olita in Nairobi
Susan Mugizi Kajura was awarded for being the most promising new children’s writer
A Ugandan children writer, Susan Mugizi Kajura scooped the Macmillan writers prize for Africa 2002, to carry home US$3,000.
“It is a pleasant surprise and I owe the award to my husband, Bernard Kajura, for the nine months patience while I was compiling the manuscript, an elated Mrs Kajura said after receiving the award in Nairobi, at the weekend.
In a ceremony held at Nairobi’s Stanley hotel, Kajura got the special award for the most promising new children’s writer for her book, Daudi’s Dream.
She and other top writers who were also honoured, have copies of their books in key bookshops in Kenya. Kajura’s book goes for Ksh250 per copy.
Rosina Umelo from Nigeria won the junior category in her book, Who are you. She received $5,000. Adult fiction award writer went to Zimbabwean Yvonne Vera for her book, The Stone Virgin. She got $5,000.
The senior category award went to Osman Coteh from Sierra Leone who got $5000 for his book, Unanswered Cries.
Kenyan patrick M.Ngugi was commended for his book, The Interview.
The awards were aimed at stimulating creative writing, rekindle the talents of African authors and promote African literature.
The aim of the awards was to also discover and promote new African authors.
To see Susan receive the award at a colourful function was her husband Bernard Kajura, Jasper Auguwesa and her children, Ceasar, Michaela, Kimuli and baby Jackie.
Susan said it was a great honour to be among the top on the continent. “I am overwhelmed given the fact that it is my first book,†she said.
Kajura said she was working on another script, Adventures of Tema, which she hoped would be ready in two year’s time.
In her address, Kajura said lack of choices and numbers prompted her to venture into children’s writing as their minds needed to be opened.
In nominating Kajura for the award, the judges said, “The writer had created in Daudi’s Dream an engagingly enterprising little boy who has a lively sense of purpose as he sets out to win enough money for his mother to buy a sewing machine.
Kajura demonstrates extraordinary flair in her writing.
Daudi’s Dream is a 32-page book meant for children aged between 8-12 years. When Daudi learns that there are prizes to be found inside soda bottle tops, he starts collecting them. But others want the winning bottle, too. It is a must read for children.
Macmillan publishing director, Alison Hubert said over 1,500 entries were received from more than 20 countries on the continent, illustrating the enthusiasm and the talent that continues to flourish in Africa.
“We are confident that the winning stories will offer enjoyment and inspiration to those who want to develop their own writing talents, as well as to readers everywhere,†she said, adding that extracts from the published stories will be broadcast on the British Broadcasting Corporation world service later in the year.
Hubert said the next biennial event will be launched in January next year. “We hope that now that the prize is established, we shall be able to bring the competition to an even wider writing audience this time round,†she said.
Nairobi witnessed the largest gathering of a reading public when the city hosted the fifth Nairobi book fair.
The event, whose theme was ‘ Reflection on African History, was organised by Kenya publishers association. The fair attracted exhibitors from several African countries like Nigeria and Tanzania, Mauritius and Zimbabwe. Ends
Susan Mugizi Kajura was awarded for being the most promising new children’s writer
A Ugandan children writer, Susan Mugizi Kajura scooped the Macmillan writers prize for Africa 2002, to carry home US$3,000.
“It is a pleasant surprise and I owe the award to my husband, Bernard Kajura, for the nine months patience while I was compiling the manuscript, an elated Mrs Kajura said after receiving the award in Nairobi, at the weekend.
In a ceremony held at Nairobi’s Stanley hotel, Kajura got the special award for the most promising new children’s writer for her book, Daudi’s Dream.
She and other top writers who were also honoured, have copies of their books in key bookshops in Kenya. Kajura’s book goes for Ksh250 per copy.
Rosina Umelo from Nigeria won the junior category in her book, Who are you. She received $5,000. Adult fiction award writer went to Zimbabwean Yvonne Vera for her book, The Stone Virgin. She got $5,000.
The senior category award went to Osman Coteh from Sierra Leone who got $5000 for his book, Unanswered Cries.
Kenyan patrick M.Ngugi was commended for his book, The Interview.
The awards were aimed at stimulating creative writing, rekindle the talents of African authors and promote African literature.
The aim of the awards was to also discover and promote new African authors.
To see Susan receive the award at a colourful function was her husband Bernard Kajura, Jasper Auguwesa and her children, Ceasar, Michaela, Kimuli and baby Jackie.
Susan said it was a great honour to be among the top on the continent. “I am overwhelmed given the fact that it is my first book,†she said.
Kajura said she was working on another script, Adventures of Tema, which she hoped would be ready in two year’s time.
In her address, Kajura said lack of choices and numbers prompted her to venture into children’s writing as their minds needed to be opened.
In nominating Kajura for the award, the judges said, “The writer had created in Daudi’s Dream an engagingly enterprising little boy who has a lively sense of purpose as he sets out to win enough money for his mother to buy a sewing machine.
Kajura demonstrates extraordinary flair in her writing.
Daudi’s Dream is a 32-page book meant for children aged between 8-12 years. When Daudi learns that there are prizes to be found inside soda bottle tops, he starts collecting them. But others want the winning bottle, too. It is a must read for children.
Macmillan publishing director, Alison Hubert said over 1,500 entries were received from more than 20 countries on the continent, illustrating the enthusiasm and the talent that continues to flourish in Africa.
“We are confident that the winning stories will offer enjoyment and inspiration to those who want to develop their own writing talents, as well as to readers everywhere,†she said, adding that extracts from the published stories will be broadcast on the British Broadcasting Corporation world service later in the year.
Hubert said the next biennial event will be launched in January next year. “We hope that now that the prize is established, we shall be able to bring the competition to an even wider writing audience this time round,†she said.
Nairobi witnessed the largest gathering of a reading public when the city hosted the fifth Nairobi book fair.
The event, whose theme was ‘ Reflection on African History, was organised by Kenya publishers association. The fair attracted exhibitors from several African countries like Nigeria and Tanzania, Mauritius and Zimbabwe. Ends