This year's 'African Booker' has been won by Brian Chikwava from Zimbabwe, it was announced today. He is the first writer from the country to receive the award.
The Caine Prize for African Writing, which is worth $15,000 (£9,000), is awarded to a short story published in English by an African writer whose work has reflected African sensibilities.
Chikwava's story, Seventh Street Alchemy, was praised by the judges' chairman, Alvaro Ribeiro, as "a triumph for the long tradition of Zimbabwean writing in the face of Zimbabwe's uncertain future."
He added that the story was marked out by "a very strong narrative in which Brian Chikwava of Zimbabwe claims the English language as his own."
The 32-year-old writer and musician was born in Bulawayo but grew up in Harare, where he performed regularly at the Book Cafe's poetry evenings and discussions. He studied at Bristol University and currently lives in south London.
Chikwava said he was very pleased but also surpr
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