Resoketswe Manenzhe’s debut novel Scatterlings, published by Jacana Media, had a virtual launch on November 9, 2020. The event had moderation by Rémy Ngamije with Mubanga Kalimamukwento as panellist.
The Dinaane Debut Fiction Award, first handed out in 2004, is a literary prize open to writers that are resident in South Africa and the greater Southern African Development Community. “Dinaane” means “telling our stories together” in Setswana. The award run by Jacana Media solicits manuscripts for a first, unpublished work of fiction in English, or translations of other South African languages into English. Some previous winners have been Fred Khumalo, Kopano Matlwa, Penny Busetto, and Mubanga Kalimamukwento.
Resoketswe Manenzhe was announced the winner of the prize for her manuscript Scatterlings in February this year. The prize was judged by award-winning journalist and novelist Rehana Rossouw (chair); academic and arts journalist Christopher Thurman; and The Johannesburg Review of Books Editor Jennifer Malec. The prize came with R25 000.00 along with publication of her manuscript.
The Cape Town-based chemical engineer had her first official event as an author on November 9 with a session featuring fellow Dinaane Debut Fiction Award winner Mubanga Kalimamukwento moderated by Rémy Ngamije. One hour, twenty-minute session between the three writers was a wonderful exchange on writing coming from Southern Africa moderated by the Namibian.
Resoketswe Manenzhe shared her writing motivations, how she unwinds as someone who is teetotal (Korean soapies), and how she reacted when her book first hit the stores (going to all bookshops and taking photos with said book.)
You can watch the session in full by clicking here.
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