SAFAL Kiswahili Prize unveils 2024 shortlist

By Newsflash Writer

The SAFAL Kiswahili Prize for African Literature has revealed the shortlisted entries for its 2024 edition. The award is supported by the Safal Group through ALAF-Tanzania and Mabati Rolling Mills-Kenya.

Founded in 2014 by Dr Lizzy Attree and Dr Mukoma Wa Ngugi, the Prize aims to celebrate writing in African languages and promote translation to and from African tongues.

Dr Salma Hamad of the Open University of Tanzania, who chaired the 2024 judging panel, noted: “We received an overwhelming number of entries, and it was a delightful experience. The manuscripts were rich in creativity and craftsmanship, revealing the vast literary potential in Kiswahili. If nurtured, Kiswahili literature will thrive for generations.”

Abdilatif Abdalla, Chair of the Award’s Board of Trustees, remarked: “It is heartening to witness the steady growth of this prize since its inception in 2015. Each year, it draws more participants from across the continent, and the quality of submissions keeps rising, significantly contributing to the expansion of Kiswahili literature.”

Joining Dr Hamad in the evaluation process were Prof Richard Wafula of Kenyatta University, Kenya, and Dr Caesar Jjingo from Makerere University, Uganda. The panel reviewed a total of 210 manuscripts.

Shortlisted entries announced

The following authors and their works have been shortlisted in the 2024 competition:

Novels

Nderemo za Mtaa – Joel Hamisi (Tanzania)
Kitanzi cha Mauti – Mayassa Abdallah Chembea (Tanzania)
Nyaraka za Wafu – Ali Othman Masoud (Tanzania)

Poetry

Waadhi – Mohamed Hamid Haji (Tanzania)
Bure Ghali – Bashiru Abdallah (Tanzania)
Laana ya Uovu – Mohamed Idrisa (Tanzania)

Short stories

Mungu Hadanganywi na Hadithi Hadithi Nyingine – Edwin Omindo (Kenya)

Hawa Bayumi, ALAF’s External Affairs Manager, announced that the winners will be officially revealed on July 3, 2025, in Dar es Salaam.

She added that a total prize pool of USD 15,000 will be awarded to outstanding unpublished manuscripts in the categories of novels, poetry, biographies, plays, and graphic novels. The distribution is as follows:

First Prize (Novel) – $5,000
First Prize (Poetry) – $5,000
Second Prize (any category) – $2,500

Additionally, the winning entries will be published by Mkuki na Nyota Publishers in Tanzania. Top poetry works will also be translated into English and published by the Africa Poetry Book Fund.