Two celebrated Angolan writers have been named finalists for the 10th edition of the 2025 Sankofa Book Awards, a respected literary prize that honors African authors who highlight cultural identity and historical memory. The shortlisted authors and their book titles are:
- Maurício Francisco Caetano (widely known as Mafrano) for The Bantus in Mafrano’s Vision – Volume II
- Nituecheni Africano for The Inmate: The Beginning and the End of an Injustice
Over the past decade, the Sankofa Awards have become a key platform for African voices. This year’s edition attracted over 80 submissions from 33 authors representing 20 African publishers.
Established in 2015, the Sankofa Book Award was created to recognize and celebrate African authors who promote historical memory, cultural identity, and literary innovation. The term “Sankofa”, derived from the Akan language of Ghana, means: “Go back and fetch what was forgotten.”
It reflects the award’s mission to honor literary works that revisit, preserve, and reimagine Africa’s rich and diverse histories. The presence of Angola among this year’s finalists is widely seen as a testament to the country’s literary renaissance and its growing influence on the international literary map.
Finalist Works:
- The Bantus in Mafrano’s Vision – Volume II
A historical-literary work that delves into the cultural heritage of Bantu peoples, Mafrano’s book offers both an academic and literary contribution, highlighting the importance of Bantu identities in the context of modern Africa
- The Inmate: The Beginning and the End of an Injustice
This profound and emotionally charged novel recounts the harrowing journey of a prisoner wrongfully convicted, giving readers an unflinching view of the prison system and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of injustice.
The Sankofa Book Award previous Sankofa Prize Winners:
- 2024 – Awa Diop (Senegal), “Voices of the Sahel”
- 2023 – Tinashe Zulu (Zimbabwe), “When the Baobab Falls”
- 2022 – Yared Tesfaye (Ethiopia), “Children of the Nile”
- 2021 – Nthabiseng Mokoena (South Africa), “The Forgotten Drum”
Author Biographies:
- Maurício Francisco Caetano (Mafrano):
A renowned historian, writer, and cultural advocate, Mafrano has devoted his career to preserving and promoting Bantu history and traditions. His meticulous research and engaging storytelling have established him as one of Angola’s leading intellectual voices.
- Nituecheni Africano
A celebrated Angolan novelist and social commentator, his works often spotlight social injustices and human rights. His writing is known for its depth, sensitivity, and commitment to amplifying marginalized voices in African societies.
Congratulations, Maurício Francisco Caetano and Nituecheni Africano!
Bakare Oluwatobiloba
I write to educate, motivate and define history with literature. Just being me!
