Achmat urges young writers to “free their imagination and leave behind pessimism about Africa´s future and the world” at Casa África´s Letras Africanas (African Letters) programme, 2010. Casa África

Named in honour of Achmat Dangor, who used his literary works to explore the themes of apartheid, race, and identity, the Literary Prize aims to continue Achmat’s legacy by promoting South African literature and supporting young South African authors with limited resources to pursue their writing. It is designed to provide these writers with concentrated time to immerse themselves in creative writing work. Zachary Dangor, Achmat’s son, explained “My father was passionate about encouraging young people to enter the world of literature, this book prize helps to realize that dream.”

The Literary Prize was launched at the Nelson Mandela Foundation on 6 June 2023. It included a panel discussion, with Elinor Sisulu, Kgauhelo Dube and Outlwile Tsipane, facilitated by Karabo Kgoleng, a researcher and award-winning broadcaster. Yusuf Essop, then project manager of the Nirox Foundation, speaking at the launch explained its significance:

“Achmat himself was a visionary who used his literary prowess to expose the realities of apartheid and to advocate for equality. Through this prize we continue his mission by providing a platform for writers to illuminate our world and shed light on the stories that need to be told. Literature possesses a profound ability to inspire, educate, and challenge. It enables us to walk in the shoes of others fostering empathy and understanding.”

The event was filmed and can be watched on the Nelson Mandela Foundation’s YouTube channel. The proceedings start at 2:03:37.

The Achmat Dangor Literary Prize for 2024, and going forward, will be managed by the Department of Creative Writing at the School of Literature, Language and Media in the Faculty of Humanities at the University of the Witwatersrand. Creative Writing at Wits University offers an intensive workshop-based postgraduate programme focused on reading and writing across a number of genres. Students benefit from close attention to their work from staff and peers and enjoy rigorous debate and discussion in a small-group forum. They are encouraged to make the most of their artistic instincts and realise their potential as writers as fully as possible. 

The prize will cover the costs of the two-year MA programme at Wits and support some of the living expenses of the winner so that they can fully embrace the course and all that Wits has to offer. The Department’s MA allows writers to immerse themselves in the art of creative writing and master self-reflection, critical thinking, and analysis. Students specialise in prose (fiction or creative nonfiction), poetry, or script writing in a writing-and reading-intensive, practice-based research degree. By supporting a new generation of writers, this prize will ensure that Achmat Dangor’s legacy of creativity and activism continues to inspire and shape the cultural and literary landscape of South Africa. 

For more details about the biennial Achmat Dangor Literary Prize contact: Prof Stacy Hardy at stacy.hardy@wits.ac.za