2014 Etisalat Prize for Literature: Songeziwe Mahlangu Emerges As Winner

From left; Head, Events & Sponsorships, Etisalat Nigeria, Modupe Thani; Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka; and Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Matthew Willsher at the award ceremony of the 2014 Etisalat Prize for Literature at Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island on Sunday, March 15th 

South African writer, Songeziwe Mahlangu emerged as winner of the 2014 Etisalat Prize for Literature at a grand event held at Lagos Intercontinental Hotel on Sunday, the 15th of March 2015. This marks the 2nd year of Africa’s most prestigious literary prize.

The 29-year-old, who was presented with a cash prize of £15,000, clinched the number one slot for his book Penumbra, ahead of his contemporaries, Nigerian Chinelo Okparanta, author of Happiness, Like Water and South African, Nadia Davids, author of An Imperfect Blessing.

(L-R) Iyaoge of Lagos, Chief Opral Benson; Judge, Etisalat Prize for Literature, Jamal Mahjoub; Chair of Judges, Etisalat Prize for Literature, Sarah Ladipo Manyika; Winner, 2014 Etisalat Prize for Literature, Songeziwe Mahlangu; and Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Matthew Willsher at the award ceremony of the 2014 Etisalat Prize for Literature at Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island on Sunday, March 15th

Songeziwe Mahlangu will also embark on the Etisalat Fellowship at the University of East Anglia under the mentorship of multiple- award winning author, Professor Giles Foden, which affords him the opportunity to network with other writers and publishers and provides him the time and resources to work on his next book.

Neema Komba of Tanzania was announced on the night as the winner in the Flash Fiction category of the Etisalat Prize. She won a cash prize of £1,000 for her entry Setting Babu on Fire. The runners up, Chinua Ezenwa-Ohaeto, writer of the short story I saved my marriage and Irabor Justin Ikhide, writer of the short story These words I do not speak, were presented with a cash prize of £500 each.

The event hosted a long list of prestigious guests and notable personalities such as Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka, Chief Opral Benson, Nike Oshinowo, Kunle Afolayan, Tolu Ogunlesi, Darey Art-Alade, Bimbo Akintola, Bimbo Manuel, and the Chairman of Etisalat Nigeria, Hakeem Bello-Osagie amongst others.

The board of patrons of the Etisalat Prize for literature is graced by Kole Omotoso, Margaret Busby, Ama Ata Aidoo, Zakes Mda, Dele Olojede and Ellah Allfrey, who are some of the continent's most illustrious literary figures. The panel of Judges is graced by Sarah Manyika, Jamal Mahjoub and Tsitsi Dangaremgba, who are also notable literary personalities.

Expressing his joy at winning this year’s Etisalat Prize for Literature, an elated Mahlangu commended the telecommunications company for the literary prize which he said would further give wings to young African writers. “This is a wonderful opportunity that opens doors for African writers, especially the young ones, to tell their stories. Penumbra was my first shot at a novel and I am excited that I won the coveted prize.”

For her part, Okparanta observed that the purchase of  1000 copies of each shortlisted book by Etisalat is unique because it aims to promote the publishing industry and encourage reading.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of Etisalat Nigeria, Matthew Willsher, said that Etisalat is committed to helping Africans tell their stories and is doing so through the Etisalat Prize for Literature, an initiative designed to recognize and reward debut writers of fiction of African citizenship.

 "As an innovative company committed to excellence, Etisalat created the Etisalat Prize for Literature to celebrate and encourage talented African writers", said Willsher.

In addition to the prize money of £15,000, Mahlangu also received a high-end mobile device and a book tour to three African cities. Highlights of the ceremony included 3 thrilling stage plays that brought to life the shortlisted books. The stage plays were directed by Ifeoma Fafunwa one of the best stage directors in Nigeria with a string of successfully directed plays including “Hear word”.

The event culminated with an electrifying performance from two-time Grammy award winner, Angelique Kidjo joined on stage by the graceful Evelle, winner of Etisalat-sponsored Nigerian Idol Season Four.

(L-R) Iyaoge of Lagos, Chief Opral Benson; Judge, Etisalat Prize for Literature, Jamal Mahjoub; Chair of Judges, Etisalat Prize for Literature, Sarah Ladipo Manyika; Winner, 2014 Etisalat Prize for Literature, Songeziwe Mahlangu; and Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Matthew Willsher at the award ceremony of the 2014 Etisalat Prize for Literature at Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island on Sunday, March 15th

Director, Brand & Experience, Etisalat NIgeria, Enitan Denloye; Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Matthew Wilsher; Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter & activist, Angelique Kidjo; and Chairman, Etisalat Nigeria, Hakeem Belo-Osagie at the award ceremony of the 2014 Etisalat Prize for Literature at Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island on Sunday, March 15th

About Etisalat
In just 6 years of operations, Etisalat Nigeria has become a major industry player with a growing subscriber base of over 22 million in a highly competitive market. Its portfolio of voice and data-centric products include – easy starter, easycliq, easybusiness, and easyblaze; all tailor-made to meet the needs of its customers.

Etisalat Nigeria is one of the 19 operations of the Etisalat Group that spans Africa, the Middle East and Asia serving over 182 million subscribers; and it is committed to delivering innovative and quality services to its growing subscribers.