S’Africa beats Nigeria, others to literature prize

After the anxious long waiting and nail-biting moments and speculations, Songeziwe Mahlangu from South Africa has emerged winner of the 2014 Etisalat Prize For Literature. His book, ‘Penumbra’, was chosen above ‘Happiness, Like Water’, written by the Nigerian, Chinelo Okparanta and ‘ An Imperfect Blessing’ authored by a fellow South African, Nadia Davids.

Thanks to this award created to celebrate young, first-time African writers of fiction books and to promote reading culture across Africa, a happy Songeziwe walked away from Intercontinental Hotel in Lagos with a cash Prize of 15,000 Pounds and a large smile capable of winning him another prize.

Though the event was to announce the winner of the prize, the entertainment offered for the night was what is called ‘off the hook’. Angelique Kidjo’s wambolabo hit song that swept through the world many years ago.

Fans who confessed to have gone there to witness Kidjo gushed of the good time they had hearing her sing again on stage.

And another star that wowed the guests at the event was the main kid on the block, OC Ukeje, the two time AMVCA’s Best Actor.

Meanwhile, the organisers also announced that: “The winner will be awarded a cash prize of £15,000 and a high-end device, in addition to a book tour to three African cities”.

-Ify Chiemeziem

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