The Long List for the 2022 Kendeka Prize for African Literature is announced today, Thursday, 1st September, 2022.
The Kendeka Prize for Africa Literature is awarded for the best piece of unpublished short story either fiction or creative non-fiction. The first edition of the prize founded by Kenyan writer Andrew Maina was won by Botswana writer Jenny Robson in 2021.
The 10 stories on this long list were chosen following a rigorous selection process by a panel of three Judges chaired by Dr. Siphiwo Mahala, from South Africa. Also in the panel is Bisi Adjapon from Ghana and Faith Oneya from Kenya. The list was chosen from 21 African nations.
The 2022 Long listed stories in no particular order are the following;
- Chained, by Scholastica Moraa, Kenya
- Star Boy, by Adaoro Raji, Nigeria
- Isithunzi, by Beverley Ann Abrahams, Zimbabwe
- The weight of grief, by Ewa Gerald Onyebuchi, Nigeria
- Ashes on Platters of Gold, by Ola W. Halim, Nigeria
- Bittersweet, Like Lemonade, by Chiemeziem Everest Udochukwu, Nigeria
- Anchor for the Baby, by Ibrahim Mustapha Enesi Nigeria
- Until Mushrooms Sprout, by Joe Nyirenda, Zambia
- The Judgement, by Agomuo juliana chinaza, Nigeria
- Luckiest Bastards, by Uchechi Princewill Akachi, Nigeria
A shortlist of five stories shall be announced on 15th September 2022 while the top three winners shall be announced during the award ceremony to be held on the 24th September, 2022, at Fourteen Falls Leisure Lodge, Thika, Kenya. The first Prize is Kshs 100,000, the second and the third prizes are Kshs 50,000 and 25,000 respectively. For details visit www.kendekaprize.com .
