The University of Johannesburg is pleased to announce the winners of the UJ Prizes for Creative Writing in isiZulu and for Creative Writing in Sesotho sa Leboa.
The winner of the UJ Main Prize for Creative Writing in isiZulu – Ayanda Mchunu for Angikaze Ngikubone Okunje.
Ayanda Mchunu
Ayanda Mchunu impressed with Angikaze Ngikubone Okunje, a suspenseful drama that showcases the author’s exceptional ability to create well-rounded, believable characters. The story carries a powerful message: “the law has a very long arm” for wrongdoers. The drama meets all the criteria for a well-written play, with commendable language usage, perfectly tailored to each character.
Mrs Nomusa Sibiya from UJ’s Multilingual Language Services Office (MLSO) coordinated the isiZulu prizes. The panel of adjudicators included Dr S. Dlamini, Ms C.W. Mthembu, and Mrs N.L. Sibiya.
The winner of the 2024 UJ Main Prize in Creative Writing in Sesotho sa Leboa – Morema Jack Mabotja for Lentšu le a Khorwa.
Dr Jack Morema Mabotja
This play centres around a tragedy that captures the reader’s emotions with a beautiful message. The book reflects the clash of cultures that can be experienced in daily life, especially clashes that concern marital affairs and other societal dilemmas. The play conveys the powerful message of respecting each other’s cultural traditions which ultimately leads to peace. It also emphasises the significance of openness, highlighting that secrets will inevitably come to light and that words should be handled with care, as they have the power to both heal and harm.
Debut Prizes:
The winner of the 2024 UJ Debut Prize for Creative Writing in isiZulu – Ethekwini writers for Ezosiba
Ezosiba refers to written matter Iqoqo lezindatshana – collection of short stories zababhali beTheku (by Ethekwini writers).
This book, edited by Mr Muntomuhle Mcambi, consists of 19 short stories written by up-and-coming writers. It seeks to develop them to become prolific writers of the future. It covers many and different themes – in terms of criteria for short stories – each story has one theme and is complete. The plot in most stories and social milieu is appropriate, e.g. in the story Kwafura this takes place in a rural community of Ngoje where the con-artist pastor is finally apprehended after sexually assaulting several young girls and brings to the fore what is happening in modern society (for example, the ongoing trial against Timothy Omotoso).
The winner of the 2024 UJ Debut Prize for Creative Writing in Sesotho sa Leboa – Mashikane W Madigoe for Tšhidi ya Koma
It is a well-constructed poems anthology that reflects previous and current affairs affecting and building our societies. It consists of different Sesotho sa Leboa poems, such as sonnets, praise, and elegy. This anthology is constructed to respect the warriors and heroines who played a crucial role in Basotho ba Leboa’s nation. Madigoe’s anthology is selected for its bold and unapologetic voice. The poet tackles kingship, womanhood, and social justice issues, offering a fresh and powerful perspective that resonates with contemporary readers.
The poems in Tšhidi ya Koma are emotionally charged, exploring themes of love, pain, death, individualism, resistance and empowerment. The raw and honest emotions captured in the poems create a strong connection with readers.
Mr Moroamofo Leshilo from UJ’s MLSO was the coordinator of the Sesotho sa Leboa prizes. He also served on the panel of adjudicators together with Dr Doreen Mojapelo and Ms Ignaciah Thete, both from the UJ Department of African Languages.
“The purpose of UJ Multilingual Language Services Office (MLSO) to annually award these literary prizes is to renew its commitment to restoring and revitalising the Sepedi and isiZulu languages through the development of literature. Language is the heart of a people’s identity, a vessel that carries our stories, culture, and wisdom from one generation to the next,” said Leshilo.
