Nairobi hosts Etisalat Prize for Literature book tour

Etisalat Prize for Literature held a series of public literary events in Nairobi, Kenya, between June 15 through June 18, 2016 to promote African literature and celebrate the winner, Mr. Fiston Mwanza Mujila, and the two runners-up of the 2015 Etisalat Prize for Literature, Penny Busetto and Rehana Rossouw.

The literary programme featured a public panel discussion with the winner of the 2015 edition of the Etisalat Prize, Congolese poet and writer, Mujila, the author of Tram 83 as well as Etisalat Prize for Literature shortlisted writers, Busetto, author of The Story of Anna P, as Told by Herself and Rossouw, author of What Will People Say?

The authors also visited the University of Nairobi and Daystar University and had book-reading sessions at Goethe Institut, Nairobi, and PAWA254. As part of the programme, Etisalat Prize for Literature shortlisted books were donated to the institutions during the tour.

While speaking on the essence of the tour, Director, Brands and Experience, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Elvis Ogiemwanye, said the programme was aimed at putting African literature in more hands across the world. He expressed the hope that the tour would help encourage more Africans to embrace African literature, adding that Africa is rich in literary talent.

It would be recalled that on June 1, 2016, Etisalat announced its call for entries to the 2016 edition of the Etisalat Prize for Literature. Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Matthew Willsher, who made the announcement, also unveiled the judge panel for the 2016 prize. The panel comprises Nigerian novelist and poet, Mr. Helon Habila, as chair, South African writer and activist Elinor Sisulu and Ivorian writer, Edwige-Renée Dro as members.
Manager, High Value Sponsorship and Events, Etisalat Nigeria, Opeyemi Lawal; winner, Etisalat Prize for Literature 2015, Fiston Mujila and runners-up authors, Penny Busetto and Rehana Rossouw at the book tour… in Nairobi, Kenya