Congolese author wins 2015 Etisalat Prize for Literature for Tram 83

Congolese author Fiston Mwanza Mujila has won the 2015 Etisalat Prize for Literature for his book Tram 83, a novel about life in the DRC and a writer's walk through it.

Mujila received prize money of £15 000 (about 6 million Naira), an engraved Montblanc Meisterstück pen and a high-end phone or tablet device.

He received an Etisalat fellowship at the University of East Anglia under the mentorship of Professor Giles Foden, the award-winning author of The Last King of Scotland.

Professor Ato Quayson who chaired the jury adjudged Mwanza’s Tram 83 the winner of the prize for 2015 after beating two other South African authors; Penny Busetto – The Story of Anna P as told by herself and What will People Say by Rehana Rossouw

At the award ceremony in Lagos, The Chief Executive Officer Etisalat Nigeria, Matthew Wilsher in his opening remarks, said:

“Etisalat Prize for Literature bears out this years theme, Representing the Diversity of African Voices as something that is the beauty of it and a foundation for innovation which is something we truly believe in, something in our roots. Diversity is very true in literature while innovation is very important in literary world. The diversity in literature is key. It is not about the cheque of 15,000 pounds but about recognizing writers and rewarding publishers. At Etisalat we don’t just invest money but also invest time”

He thanked all those who entered the Prize adding that Etisalat is proud to be associated with what the three shortlisted authors have done.

On the Flash Fiction category, Nigerian writer Kuti Ojuolape Modupe won for her story titled Gone. She emerged winner out of over 1300 entries.

The Etisalat Prize for Literature was created by Etisalat Nigeria in 2013 and it is the first ever pan-African prize to celebrate first-time African writers of published fiction books.

The prize aims to serve as a platform for the discovery of new creative talent out of the continent and invariably promote the burgeoning publishing industry in Africa.

Zimbabwean NoViolet Bulawayo won the inaugural Etisalat Prize for We Need New Names in 2013, and Songeziwe Mahlangu won the 2014 edition for Penumbra.

READ: 'Tram 83' by Fiston Mwanza Mujila [Book Review]

READ: Who will win Africa’s most prestigious literary Prize?