The five writers shortlisted for the Caine Prize for African Writing, known as the “African Booker”, will find out on July 19 who has won the pound;9,000 prize for a short story in English by an African writer. The prize can also be a useful showcase: past winners include Helon Habila (pictured) now published in the UK by Penguin.
Uganda has two authors on this year’s list: Monica Arac de Nyeko with Strange Fruit and Doreen Baingana with Hunger. Chika Unigwe represents Nigeria with The Secret and Brian Chikwava Zimbabwe with Seventh Street.
Parselelelo Kantai is a contender for Kenya with The Story of Comrade Lemma and the Black Jerusalem Boys Band. Meet the authors on July 16 at the Royal Overseas League in St James’s, London. Tickets pound;4.50 from ROSL Arts.
Tel: 020 7408 0214 ext 324; see www.roslarts.co.uk.
