Four South Africans shortliste

Miles Morland Foundation supports writers from Africa in scholarship program

Four South Africans shortlisted for £18,000 writing scholarship

Four emerging South African writers in line to win top scholarship

Four South Africans shortliste

Miles Morland Foundation supports writers from Africa in scholarship program

South Africans, Amy Heydenrych, Lidudumalingani Mqombothi, Nick Mulgrew and Bryony Rheam, have all been shortlisted for the 2016 Morland African Writing Scholarship. Chosen out of a pool of over 500 entries, from 37 countries.

The scholarship, set up by Miles Morland after a career investing in Africa, aims to support emerging writers from Africa to write their first novel, knowing how difficult it is to write while also trying to earn a living. Each of the five winning scholars receive £18,000, paid over the course of a year, to allow them to take time off to write the first draft of the book they proposed.

The Scholarships are open to anyone writing in English who was born in Africa or both of whose parents were born in Africa.

Miles Morland, the scholarship’s founder, said, “We have been blown away by the talent, imagination, energy, and humour that characterises African writing. The standard of the shortlist is always high but this year we had an even greater depth of talent than before, making the choosing of a shortlist particularly difficult. We have two Caine Prize winners on it, and a number of writers who have received global recognition. We are pleased also to have writers early in their career who show terrific promise. Our only disappointment is that, although we had a number of non-fiction submissions, only one made it to the short list. We are actively trying to encourage non-fiction, Africans telling Africa’s story” says Morland.

The four South African’s shortlisted, are joined by 18 other writers: eleven from Nigeria, two each from Somalia and Kenya, and one each from Gambia, Ghana, and Zimbabwe.

The judges, with Ellah Wakatama Allfrey from Zimbabwe in the chair, assisted by Femi Terry from Sierra Leone, and Muthoni Garland from Kenya, will meet on Dec 12th to select the five 2016 Scholars. Their names will be announced shortly afterwards.

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