The highly anticipated longlist of the 2016 Etisalat Prize for Literature has been announced. Contending for the coveted cash prize of £15,000 are six South Africans and three Nigerians.

This year’s panel of judges, headed by Nigerian novelist, Helon Habila comprises Ivorian writer/Africa39 laureate Edwige Reno Dro and South African writer/activist Elinor Sisulu.

The Chief Executive Officer of Etisalat Nigeria, Matthew Willsher, endorsed the judges’ carefully moderated selection process, saying:

“The novels in this year’s longlist represent a good number of African publishing companies. Each novel reflects a very interesting and dynamic perspective that will provoke intense conversations about different personal and societal issues.”

In addition to the cash prize, the winner receives an engraved Montblanc Meisterstück pen and an Etisalat-sponsored fellowship at the University of East Anglia to be mentored by renowned Professor Giles Foden, author of ‘The Last King of Scotland.’

The shortlist of three will be released in December and the winner announced in March 2017.

 

Below are the titles in contention.

Julie Iromuanya (Nigerian) — ‘Mr. and Mrs. Doctor’ (Coffee House Press, USA)

Mohale Mashigo (South Africa) — ‘The Yearning’ (PanMacmillan, South Africa)

Nakhane Toure (South Africa) — ‘Piggy Boy’s Blues’ (Blackbird Books imprint of Jacana Media, SA)

Jen Thorpe (South Africa) — ‘The Peculiars’ (Penguin Random House, USA)

Elnathan John (Nigeria) — ‘Born on a Tuesday’ (Cassava Republic, Nigeria)

Jowhor Ile (Nigeria) — ‘And After Many Days’ (Farafina an imprint of Kachifo Limited, Nigeria)

Andrew Miller (South Africa)— ‘Dub Steps’ (Jacana Media, South Africa),

Jacqui L’Ange (South Africa) — ‘The Seed Thief’ (Umuzi Publishers, South Africa)

Unathi Magubeni (South Africa) — ‘Nwezelenga: The Star Child’ (Black Bird Books Imprint of Jacana Media, South Africa)