TheAfricanGriot.com has unveiled the longlist for the inaugural Alexander Nderitu Prize for World Literature.
Chosen from a pool of 72 entries across 13 countries, the ten longlisted stories highlight a diverse array of voices and perspectives from around the globe. The stories, judged on their literary merit and adherence to the theme of ‘Peace,’ represent countries including Nigeria, Kenya, Zambia, and the USA.
In no particular order, the longlisted writers for the prestigious prize are:
- The Pregnant Ghost by Haliru Ali Musa (Nigeria)
- Ethiopian Night by Evanson Njuki (Kenya)
- A New Dawn by Maina Mary Njeri (Kenya)
- Mortuary by Ekenedirichukwu Anselm Alita (Nigeria)
- Call of the Sandy Tombs by Kaluwe Haangala (Zambia)
- That Last Kiss by Erick Kitheka (Kenya)
- Mama Tekla’s Sunset by J.E. Sibi-Okumu (Kenya)
- Harmony’s Echo by Maria Kegode (Kenya)
- Peace by Buhlebethu Sukoluhle Mpofu (USA/Zimbabwe)
- Beauty in a Mark by Kagira George (Kenya)
The entries came from a diverse mix of countries, including Nigeria, Kenya, Zambia, South Sudan, Zimbabwe, Malawi, The Gambia, Sri Lanka, the USA, Botswana, and Tanzania.
Judged by an international panel of jurors, with representation from Botswana, Nigeria, Kenya, Sri Lanka, and Sweden, Juror Rupasinghe D. Pramudith from Sri Lanka shared his thoughts on the longlist:
“These captivating stories not only stand out as a testament to the undeniable power of English as a language spread across cultures, facing irreversible transformation from the ingenious languages of those who embrace it, but also celebrate the essential role that tales play in sustaining mankind’s collective memory and consciousness.”
The Alexander Nderitu Prize for World Literature is named in honor of Alexander Nderitu, a Kenyan-born poet, novelist, playwright, and critic. Known for his remarkable contributions to literature, Nderitu is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of TheAfricanGriot.com and serves as a Regional Managing Editor for TheTheatreTimes.com. His works, including When the Whirlwind Passes, Africa’s pioneering digital novel, and his acclaimed books like The Moon Is Made of Green Cheese and King Bure Is Dead!, have earned international recognition. Nderitu’s short stories, poems, and articles have appeared in prestigious publications across the globe and have been translated into multiple languages.
A recipient of numerous accolades, he was named one of Kenya’s ‘Top 40 Under 40 Men’ in 2017 and has since garnered numerous awards, including the Sahitto International Prizes for Literature Jury Award and the SEVHAGE-Agema Founders’ Prize for African Criticism. In 2024, he set the record for the most books published by an African in a single year.
Congratulations to all the longlisted authors!
Bakare Oluwatobiloba
I write to educate, motivate and define history with literature. Just being me!
