Botswana Literature Awards 2024 winners announced

The Botswana Literature Awards 2024 winners were announced in Gaborone on Saturday, December 14, 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 before the shortlist was revealed on December 9. 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 winners were announced at a ceremony at the Arise and Shine Conference Center on Saturday and they included;

Best Novel (English)

• Moshate, Thabo Katlholo

Best Novel (Setswana)

• Sephiri Sa Mosadi, Nkululeko Jackson

Best Poetry (English)

• The Chronicles of a Peacock, Juby K Peacock

Best Poetry (Setswana)

• Tswina, Thabiso E. Boefelo

Best Children’s Book (English )

• Foolish Fish and Wise Monkey, Tshabang Tlalanyane

Best Children’s Book (Setswana)

• Phala Wa Kgosing, Lebogang Mogotsi

Best Short Story Collection (English)

• The Black River, Abesalome L. Simane

Best Short Fiction (Setswana)

• Leitho La Ga Korowe, Deborah Tjituka

Best Collaboration

• Ataraxy

Best Multilingual Writer

• Shupikai D. Matematema

Best Outstanding Published Work

• The Testament of Black Jesus, Philani A. Nyoni (Zimbabwe)

Best Overall Female Author

• Tshabang Tlalanyane

Best Overall Male Author

• Nkululeko Jackson

Best Upcoming Author

• Hlelolwenkosi Masuku

Best Young Author (12 years and below)

• Theo A. Kgasa

Lifetime Honour Award

• Barolong Seboni

Reactions

You can safely now address me as a multi-award winning author. Two awards were bagged this evening at the Botswana Literature Awards that were hosted by Poetic Blood Publishers, here in Gaborone. I managed to defend my last year’s award Best Setswana novel. New to my collection is Best Overall male author. Thanks to the Almighty for all the blessings… to all of you who support my work … to the brand maker (o a ikitse) for believing in me even when I can’t believe in me … Sephiri sa mosadi is now the Best Setswana novel.

Nkululeko Jackson

Thank you God for this award: Botswana Literature Awards, Best English Poetry Book.

Juby K Peacock

Here are images from the awards ceremony courtesy of organisers

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