Botswana Literature Awards 2024 finalists announced

The Botswana Literature Awards 2024 finalists were announced in Gaborone on Monday, December 9, 2024.

The Botswana Literature Awards were founded to recognize the contributions and hard work of authors in Botswana by Dr Lame Pusetso in 2023. That first edition celebrated the Best Children’s Book, Best Setswana Poetry Book, Best English Poetry Book, Best Cookbook, Best English Novel, and Best Setswana Novel. Some winners were Cole Motlogelwa, Dr Lesedi Gaeemelwe, and Emmie Motsamai Théo.

The 2024 edition started with a call for entries that closed on October 14; from the 90 entries submitted, the longlists were made public on Sunday, November 24. The comprehensive list of categories were Best Novel (English), Best Novel (Setswana), Best Poetry (English), Best Poetry (Setswana), Best Children’s Book (English), Best Children’s Book (Setswana), Best Short Story (English), Best Short Fiction (Setswana), and several others. The finalists were announced on Monday with the following still in the running;

Best Novel (English)

• Moshate, Thabo Katlholo
• The Dream That Nearly Died, Onkeme Letshwiti
• Hospital For Broken Men, Tlholego M. Letsepe

Best Novel (Setswana)

• Tlhapi Solofela Leraga, Tumelo Abotseng
• Mampipinyane Yo O Lerato, Stan Montsho
• Sephiri Sa Mosadi, Nkululeko Jackson

Best Poetry (English)

• The Irony of Inflation, Amogelang Marope
• The Chronicles of a Peacock, Juby K Peacock
• Shattering Shackles, Kgosietsile Kooagile

Best Poetry (Setswana)

• Tswina, Thabiso E. Boefelo
• Motshwarateu, Kebakaone Olebogeng

Best Children’s Book (English)

• The Delta Child, Law Tshabo
• Foolish Fish and Wise Monkey, Tshabang Tlalanyane
• The Phupie and The Princess, Taazima Kala

Best Children’s Book (Setswana)

• Tonto Tshipidi, Tumelo Abotseng
• Phala Wa Kgosing, Lebogang Mogotsi
• Sejo Sennye, Tshabang Tlalanyane

Best Short Story (English)

• Echoes of Silence, Olorato Katse
• The Black River, Abesalome L. Simane
• Passion Journey, Ofivia P. Bakwena

Best Short Fiction (Setswana)

• Leitho La Ga Korowe, Deborah Tjituka

The winners will be announced at a ceremony in Gaborone on Saturday, December 14, 2024.

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