[Harare, Zimbabwe] — The Caine Prize for African Writing marked its 25th anniversary with a landmark return to Zimbabwe, celebrating NoViolet Bulawayo’s historic Best of Caine Award win and reaffirming the Prize’s enduring commitment to African literary excellence. Held across Harare and Bulawayo, the three-day programme placed Bulawayo’s work at the centre of a wider reflection on African storytelling, while highlighting the Prize’s legacy and future under the leadership of Chair Ellah Wakatama OBE FRSL.
Widely recognised as one of the most influential African writers of her generation, NoViolet Bulawayo was honoured for her short story “Hitting Budapest,” originally awarded the Caine Prize in 2011 and, in 2025, selected as the Best of Caine — the most outstanding winning story from the Prize’s 25-year history. The award underscores both the lasting impact of Bulawayo’s work and the Caine Prize’s role in identifying writing of enduring global significance.
The anniversary programme opened on 15 December at the Mayor’s Parlour in Bulawayo, where NoViolet Bulawayo was joined by Ellah Wakatama whose seasoned leadership has been central to the Prize’s international standing. They were received by the Mayor of Bulawayo, Senator David Coltart, before proceeding to a public reading and in-conversation event at Mzilikazi Library attended by local writers and readers.
In conversation with Wakatama, Bulawayo reflected on the universal humanity that anchors her work, observing that “death is death in Zimbabwe just as it is in Spain; the same is true of love and of childhood.” The evening concluded with Bulawayo being presented with a gift of photography by writer, filmmaker, and photographer Elliot Moyo.
A central highlight of the programme took place on 16 December in Harare with an evening reception celebrating Bulawayo’s Best of Caine Award. Created specifically to mark the Prize’s 25th anniversary, the Best of Caine distinction recognised the most exceptional winning story in the Prize’s history. “Hitting Budapest” was selected from all past winners by a judging panel chaired by Nobel Laureate Professor Abdulrazak Gurnah, alongside award-winning author Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi and acclaimed film producer Tony Tagoe.
The Harare reception brought together writers, publishers, readers, and literary stakeholders, and featured a live musical performance by Zimbabwean singer-songwriter Raven Duchess. The evening opened with reflections acknowledging the Prize’s long-standing partnerships and its sustained investment in and support of African literary communities.
Drawing on her experience as a writer, editor, and cultural leader, Wakatama reflected on the mission of the Caine Prize to platform African writing globally. She emphasised the significance of celebrating this milestone anniversary in Zimbabwe, and spoke to the Prize’s responsibility not only to recognise excellence, but to actively invest in the development and visibility of African writers.
In a closing conversation, Bulawayo reflected on her writing journey, the lasting affirmation of her 2011 Caine Prize win, and the importance of ensuring Zimbabwean stories continue to travel across borders and media. She concluded the evening with a reading from “Hitting Budapest.”
The full programme concluded on 17 December with an intimate writers’ workshop at the Friendship Bench Hub in Harare, hosted by Wakatama, Bulawayo, and author Petina Gappah. Responding to ongoing concerns around access to publication pathways for Zimbabwean writers, the session focused on craft, discipline, and persistence, offering practical guidance grounded in the facilitators’ combined decades of literary experience.
As the Caine Prize marks 25 years of championing African storytelling, the Zimbabwe programme stood as a powerful convergence of legacy and future — celebrating NoViolet Bulawayo’s Best of Caine win while reaffirming the Prize’s long-term commitment to nurturing African literary talent.
The Prize acknowledges the generous support of Carnegie Corporation of New York and Meikles Foundation, whose sponsorship of the 25th anniversary programme reflects their commitment to sustaining African literary talent.
ENDS
Media Contact: comms@caineprize.com
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