The Commonwealth Foundation has unveiled the shortlist for the Commonwealth Short Story Prize, featuring 23 writers. Among them, six African writers from Ghana, Nigeria, Mauritius, Rwanda, South Africa, and St. Kitts and Nevis have captured the literary world’s attention.
The Commonwealth Foundation is an intergovernmental organisation that was established by the Commonwealth Heads of Government in 1966, a year after its sister organisation, the Commonwealth Secretariat. As the Commonwealth agency for civil society, the Foundation is funded by 49 member states to support participatory governance through its programmes. The Foundation provides resources, grants and access to platforms to encourage better engagement between civil society and institutions of governance. Membership of the Commonwealth Foundation is voluntary and is separate from membership of the Commonwealth of Nations.
In his congratulatory speech, Dr Anne T. Gallagher AO, Director-General of The CommonWealth Foundation says:
“The Short Story Prize is legendary for unearthing and nurturing the rich creative talent for our Commonwealth. This year is no exception. My congratulations to the 23 writers whose stories will now secure a truly global audience”.
The shortlisted writers of African descent and their books are:
- “Dite” by Reena,
- “House NO.49” by Olajide Omojarabi,
- “Fadi” by Azags Agandaa,
- “A Song Sung In Secret” by Jayne Bauling,
- “The Marriage Proposal” by Heather Archibald, and
- “The Goat” by Jean Pierre Nikuze.
Congratulations to the shortlisted writers!
Bakare Oluwatobiloba
I write to educate, motivate and define history with literature. Just being me!
