The University of Johannesburg Prize (UJ Prize) has unveiled the shortlist for its 2025 edition, highlighting six standout books published in 2024.
Established in 2006, the UJ Prize is one of South Africa’s most respected literary honors. Unlike many other awards, it is not confined to a single genre, giving judges the freedom to recognize excellence across fiction, non-fiction, poetry and scholarly work. The prize is adjudicated by a panel of academics and writers who evaluate submissions through a rigorous process.
This year’s shortlist features three works in the Debut Prize category and three in the Main Prize category:
Debut Prize
- Morafe: Person, Family and Nation in Colonial Bechuanaland by Khumisho Moguerane
- Weeping Becomes a River by Siphokazi Jonas
- Who Looks Inside by Anna Stroud
Main Prize
- Keorapetse Kgositsile and the Black Arts Movement by Uhuru Portia Phalafala
- The Comrade’s Wife by Barbara Boswell
- The Lost Love of Akbar Manzil by Shubnum Khan
Winners of the Main Prize and Debut Prize will receive R75,000 and R45,000 respectively. The final results are expected to be announced before the end of September.
Congratulations to all shortlisted authors!
Bakare Oluwatobiloba
I write to educate, motivate and define history with literature. Just being me!
