Cape Town - Former Cape Town resident, now US-based writer, Nadia Davids has scooped the Caine Prize for African Writing 2024.
Davids, one of South Africa's most celebrated, innovative post-apartheid playwrights, is known for her tackling of heavy-hitting political themes,
She won the prestigious prize for African Writing and topped a record-breaking number of submissions from 28 countries.
The win is based on Davids' short tale, Bridling, which was published in The Georgia Review in 2023.
The Caine Prize for African Writing is a registered charity whose aim is to bring African writing to a wider audience using their annual literary award.
In addition to administering the prize, the charity works to connect readers with African writers through a series of public events, as well as helping emerging writers in Africa to enter the world of mainstream publishing through the annual Caine Prize writers' workshop which takes place in a different African country each year.
According to a statement from the Caine Prize, Davids joins the ranks of past winners, including Senegalese writers Mame Bougouma Diene and Woppa Diallo (2023), Kenyan writer Idza Luhumyo (2022), Ethiopianmerican writer Meron Hadero (2021), and Nigerian-British writer Irenosen Okjie (2020).
This year's judging panel included Julianknxx, a poet, artist, and filmmaker; Siphiwe Gloria Ndlovu, a writer, scholar, and film-maker; Tumi Molekane, also known as “Stogie T”, a hip-hop musician; and author Ayesha Harruna Attah.
Chairperson of the Caine Prize Board of Trustees, Ellah Wakatama, OBE, said: “I was delighted by the range and ambition of this year's shortlisted stories.
“It is especially pleasing to see writers many will recognise and to introduce new voices.
“As we enter into our 25th year, it's wonderful to have such a strong shortlist and formidable Nadia Davids as our winner.”
Davids, 47, who lives in Los Angeles, told Weekend Argus: “I was thrilled and astonished by the news. I've read the Caine Prize shortlist with joy and admiration for over two decades – the stories have moved, challenged, delighted and instructed me.
“It’s an enormous honour to join such fine literary company and to be part of an award that holds such deep significance on our continent.”
Davids will receive the £10 000 (around R232 377) Caine Prize and have her piece featured in the 2024 Caine Prize anthology, Midnight in the Mortuary and Other Stories.
venecia.valentine@inl.co.za