Dinaane Debut Fiction Award Explained

The Dinaane Debut Fiction Award – formerly the European Union Literary Award – is a South African literary award, open to South African and SADC writers who are residents of these countries. The manuscripts that are submitted must be a first, unpublished work of fiction in English,^[1] or translations of other South African languages into English providing the work has not been published in other languages. The word "dinaane" means "telling our stories together" in Setswana, says Jacana.

In 2015, the European Union Literary Award was renamed the Dinaane Debut Fiction Award.^[2] It is supported by various European Union embassies and commissions operating in South Africa. The winner is awarded a cash prize of R35 000.00 along with publication of their manuscript with Jacana Media. In honour of Gerald Kraak, who helped run Jacana Media until his death in 2014,^[3] the Kraak Writing Grant is also awarded. The grant is awarded to an entrant whose manuscript showed great promise and who would most benefit from a three-month mentorship with an industry-leading mentor. The Dinaane Debut Fiction Award was first given in 2004.^[2]

Winners

European Union Literary Award

• 2004: Ishtiyaq Shukri, The Silent Minaret^[4]
• 2005: Fred Khumalo, Bitches' Brew; and Gerald Kraak, Ice in the Lungs
• 2006: [no award]
• 2007: Kopano Matlwa, Coconut ^{[5] [6]}
• 2008: Megan Voysey-Braig, Till We Can Keep an Animal
• 2009: Zinaid Meeran, Saracen at the Gates ^[7]
• 2010: James Clelland, Deeper than Colour
• 2011/12: Ashraf Kagee, Khalil's Journey ^[8]
• 2013: Penny Busetto, The Story of Anna P, as Told by Herself^[9]
• 2014: Andrew Miller, Dub Steps^[1]

Dinaane Debut Fiction Award

• 2015/2016: Tammy Baikie, Selling LipService^[10]
• 2019: Mubanga Kalimamukwento, The Mourning Bird ^[11]
• 2020: Resoketswe Manenzhe, Scatterlings ^[12]

External links

• Dinaane Debut Fiction Award, official site

Notes and References

1. News: Sekhotho. Katleho. Debut author wins publishing deal and R35 000. 15 August 2015. Wits Vuvuzela. May 7, 2015.
2. Web site: Dinaane Debut Fiction Award. Jacana Media. 15 August 2015.
3. Web site: Dinaane Debut Fiction Award. Books Etc.. 15 August 2015.
4. News: Written in secret. Ishtiyaq. Shukri. 24 August 2015. Mail & Guardian. 4 February 2005.
5. News: Kopano Matlwa's first novel, Coconut, won her the European Union Literary Award for first-time authors. She is a medical student at the University of Cape Town: Unknown . The Daily News . Durban, South Africa . 22 April 2009 .
6. News: Student wins European Union award . The Sunday Independent . South Africa . 25 March 2007 . 18 .
7. News: Prize-winning debut novel is quite a ride: Main Book . The Sunday Independent . Johannesburg . 3 January 2010 .
8. News: Academic named top novelist . Cape Argus . South Africa . 27 April 2012 .
9. Web site: Childes. Tarah. Interview with Penny Busetto. Aerodrome. 24 August 2015.
10. Web site: The Dinaane Debut Fiction Award and Kraak Writing Grant winners . jacana.co.za . 27 April 2017.
11. Web site: Mubanga Kalimamukwento wins Dinaane Debut Fiction Award for her novel The Mourning Bird . readinglist.click . 12 March 2019. 17 April 2019.
12. Web site: Resoketswe Manenzhe Wins 2020 Dinaane Debut Fiction Award for Her Novel, Scatterlings. Brittle Paper. Chukwuebuka. Ibeh. 24 February 2020.