The 2016 Short Story Day Africa Prize long list for Migrations was selected during two rounds of reading. The first round of blind reading was done by volunteers across Africa. The second round by the members of the SSDA team, Nick Mulgrew, Karina Szczurek and Rachel Zadok, one of the Migrations editors, Efemia Chela, and the 2015 winner, Cat Hellisen.
Yesterday's long list deliberations were difficult. There were several stories we struggled to let go. At one stage, there was talk of extending the anthology to include these stories, but in the end we figured we have to draw a line somewhere. Instead we gave these writers a special mention. It is our hope that their stories go on to find deserving homes in other publications.
Additionally, three writers were awarded the SSDA/All About Writing Development Prize. These writers will each receive extensive tuition during a 20 Week Online Writing Course with All About Writing. We believe, with a little help, these writers can be the next big thing in #AfricanLit.
The long list will now be sent to our judging panel, Sindiwe Magona, H.J. Golakai and Tendai Huchu as well as to the editors Efemia Chela and Bongani Kona who will edit the collection under the mentorship of Helen Moffett. The SSDA/Worldreader Editing Mentorship is sponsored by Worldreader.
The Migrations Long List
- Aba Asibon (Ghana)
- Anne Moraa (Kenya)
- Arja Salafranca (South Africa)
- Blaize Kaye (South Africa)
- Edwin Okolo (Nigeria)
- Francis Aubee (The Gambia)
- Fred Khumalo (South Africa)
- Gamu Chamisa (Zimbabwe)
- Gratitude Fisher (South Africa)
- Idza L (Kenya)
- Karen Jennings (South Africa)
- Lauri Kubuitsile (Botswana)
- Mirette Bahgat Eskaros (Egypt)
- Mignotte Mekuria (Ethiopia)
- Mary Ononokpono (Nigeria/UK)
- Megan Ross (South Africa)
- Nyarsipi Odeph (Kenya)
- Okafor Tochukwu (Nigeria)
- Stacy Hardy (South Africa)
- TJ Benson (Nigeria)
- Umar Turaki (Nigeria)
Special Mentions
- Caleb Somtochukwu Okereke (Nigeria)
- Dzekashu MacViban (Cameroon)
- Helen Walne (South Africa)
- Kathryn White (South Africa)
- Liam Kruger (South Africa)
- Linda Daniels (South Africa)
- Pamela Zintatu Ntshanga (South Africa)
- ZP Dala (South Africa)
SSDA/All About Writing Development Prize
- Pamela Zintatu Ntshanga (South Africa)
- Rodney Gariseb (Nambia)
- Derek Lubangakene (Uganda)
Congratulations to the long listed authors. Many thanks the 2016 Short Story Day Africa Prize Sponsors and Partners, and our team of volunteer readers, without whom none of this would be possible. A complete list of sponsors is available on our Sponsors Page.
