Botswana Literature Awards 2024 longlist announced

The Botswana Literature Awards 2024 longlists were announced in Gaborone on Sunday, November 24, 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. Its comprehensive list of categories was 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. Those who are in the running for the awards are;

Best Novel (English)

• Moshate, Thabo Katlholo
• Best Friends Never, Tshepang Motlhanka
• Chastised For An Ancient Secret, Boitumelo Makhura and Antonette Moatshe
• Journey To Bogofi, Phemelo T. Tlalanyane
• The Dream That Nearly Died, Onkeme Letshwiti
• Hospital For Broken Men, Tlholego M. Letsepe
• Dreams Never Die, Keletso Dikao

Best Novel (Setswana)

• Masetlha Pelo, Ross Kgabotshwene
• Tlhapi Solofela Leraga, Tumelo Abotseng
• Mosautlwa, Rikkie D. Molatlhegi
• Boitshwareko Jwa Modimo, Goabaone Rantamelang
• Mampipinyane Yo O Lerato, Stan Montsho
• Mojwadi, Motlalepule Monageng
• Mosadi Thipa, Nkululeko Jackson
• Sephiri Sa Mosadi, Nkululeko Jackson

Best Poetry (English)

• Undiscovered Gemstone, Maatla Selo
• The Irony of Inflation, Amogelang Marope
• The Chronicles of a Peacock, Juby Peacock
• A Mad Lion Hunting and Haunting Cities and Towns, Dr Gorata M. Ntshwabi
• Ataraxy, Kgosietsile Kooagile and Bianca Gotsilemang
• Shattering Shackles, Kgosietsile Kooagile

Best Poetry (Setswana)

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

Best Children’s Book (English )

• The Delta Child, Law Tshabo
• Mommy Touched Me, Stan Montsho
• 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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