Four Tanzanian writers honored at Safal-Cornell Kiswahili Prize Awards Ceremony

Four Tanzanian authors and poets were on Friday feted for their literary works during the Safal-Cornell Kiswahili Prize for African Literature Awards ceremony held in Nairobi.

The quartet, Philip Oyaro, Ahmed Simba, Fatuma Salim and Lenard Mtesigwa, were part of eight finalists shortlisted for the awards. They emerged from a pool of 196 entries initially considered for the recognition.

The shortlisted authors were announced on January 15.

Oyaro's book, "Dunia Duara," clinched the top spot in the Fiction category earning him Ksh. 811,761 (USD 5,000) while Simba's work, "Safari ya Maisha" secured the second prize. Simba was awarded Ksh.405,880 (USD 2,500).

Fatuma Salim's poem, "Changa la Moto," clinched the first prize in the Poetry category, with Mtesigiwa's "Ndani ya Subira Kichwagomba" following closely for the second prize.

Just like Oyaro and Simba, Salim and Mtesigiwa were awarded the same cash prizes.

Apart from the cash prizes, the winning submissions will also be evaluated for publication by Mkuki na Nyota Publishers in Tanzania.

Furthermore, the victorious poetry pieces will undergo translation into English and be published by the Africa Poetry Book Fund.

Founded in 2014 by Dr. Lizzy Attree and Dr. Mukoma Wa Ngugi, the competition aims to acknowledge literature written in African languages and promote translation among various African languages.

Joining them as judges for the 2023 competition were Dr. Zuhura Badru from the University of Dodoma and Mr. Ali Mwalim Rashid from the State University of Zanzibar.

 “This is something to be grateful about and augurs well regarding the future of Kiswahili literature. The idea to come up with this award, actualize and to sustain it is a major boon to young, aspiring as well as accomplished authors since it gives them a very good platform to show what they can do,” said Prof Wamitila.