Leila Aboulela (2000, Caine Prize Winner), Helon Habila (2001, Caine Prize Winner), Binyavanga Wainana (2002, Caine Prize Winner), Yvonne Owuor (2003, Caine Prize Winner), Brian Chikwava, 2004, Caine Prize Winner), Segun Afolabi, (2005, Caine Prize Winner), Mary Watson, (2006, Caine Prize Winner), Monica Arac de Nyeko (2007, Caine Prize Winner), Henrietta Rose-Innes (2008, Caine Prize Winner), E.C. Osondu (2009, Caine Prize, Winner), Olufemi Terry, (2010, Caine Prize, Winner), NoViolet Bulawayo (2011, Caine Prize, Winner), Rotimi Babatunde (2012, Caine Prize Winner), Tope Folarin (2013, Caine Prize Winner), Okwiri Oduor, (2014, Caine Prize Winner)
For the Caine Prize, 2020 will be both a year of reflection, and the year we mark our 20th anniversary, it is the year that we look back on 20 years of bringing African stories to a wider global audience. A year of unique and carefully crafted stories which transport readers from their own lives and their own realities into worlds conceived by the imaginations of some of the world’s most talented and innovative writers. There are many Africans and many African experiences, perhaps the beauty of the Caine Prize is that it reflects the plethora of African identities which exist. From South Africa to Sudan, male, female, gay, straight, rich, poor on the continent, in the diaspora, rural, urban there is a story to reflect all our experiences. The Caine Prize is special because it has allowed a continent that is often objectified to reclaim its agency and speak for itself.
Through its workshops, anthologies and events the Caine Prize has provided a platform for Africa’s writers to share their work and hone their craft. Year after year the prize has arguably captured the zeitgeist and put a spotlight on literary trailblazers, since the inaugural winner Leila Aboulela from Sudan who went on to publish five books and win or be shortlisted for numerous prizes including the Commonwealth Writers Prize and the Scottish Book Awards, the Caine Prize shortlisted writers and winners have proven that they are indeed some of today’s most important literary voices.
As the African-American writer, James Baldwin said, “If you know from whence you came, there are absolutely no limitations to where you can go.” And it is with this optimism that the Caine Prize enters its 21st year excited to be a supporter and champion of African writing. We look forward to many more years of exciting and fruitful partnerships and thank our supporters and sponsors whose generosity has allowed us to prosper.
Lynette Lisk,
Digital Communications and Event Consultant, The Caine Prize for African Writing
Namwali Serpelli (2015, Caine Prize Winner), Lidudumalingani (2016, Caine Prize Winner), Bushra El-Fadil (2017, Caine Prize Winner), Makena Onjerika (2018, Caine Prize Winner) and Lesley Nneka Arimah (2019, Caine Prize Winner)