The abundance of talent represented by the Africa39 continues to recognised by a variety of distinguished publishing institutions worldwide. We’d like to extend our congratulations to the authors as they continue to thrive. We anticipate that they will continue to grow from strength to strength and accolade to accolade.
Okwiri Oduor
The Fifteenth Caine Prize for African Literature was announced this past week. Africa39 author, Okwiri Oduor, was shortlisted for her story, “My Father’s Head” (pdf), published in 2013 by Short Story Day Africa. Okwiri Oduor becomes the 18th member of the decorated cohort of Africa39 authors who have been “involved with the Caine Prize, either by taking part in a workshop, as a shortlisted writer, or as a winner of the Prize,” the others being: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Monica Arac de Nyeko, Rotimi Babatunde, Jackee Budesta Batanda, Shadreck Chikoti, Tope Folarin, Clifton Gachagua, Stanley Gazemba, Mehul Gohil, Abubakar Ibrahim, Stanley Kenani, Glaydah Namukasa, Nii Parkes, Namwali Serpell, Novuyo Rose Tshuma, Chika Unigwe, and Mary Watson.
Africa39 authors, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Taiye Selasi, were both featured in TIME magazine’s list of “21 Women Authors You Should Be Reading”.
Africa39 Longlist researcher, Binyavanga Wainaina was listed amongst TIME magazine’s “100 Most Influential People” of 2014, in which Chimamanda Adichie described him as “the memoirist with a mission”:
The best-known Kenyan writer of his generation, he felt an obligation to chip away at the shame that made people like his friend die in silence.
By publicly and courageously declaring that he is a gay African, Binyavanga has demystified and humanized homosexuality and begun a necessary conversation that can no longer be about the “faceless other.”
Africa 39 