 | | | Mary Watson hopes the prize will help her to pursue writing full time |
The 2006 Caine Prize for African Writing has been won by the Cape Town-based writer, Mary Watson for her story, Jungfrau. Now in its seventh year, the Caine Prize continues to grow in stature, this year attracting 110 qualifying entries from 21 African countries. Awarded to a short story by an African writer published in English, it bears a cash prize of £10,000 for the winning author and a travel award each for the short-listed candidates. This year's winner, Mary Watson lectures in Film Studies at the University of Cape Town but she hopes that winning the Caine Prize will bring publishing deals to help her achieve her long-held ambition of becoming a full time writer. Polly de Blank asked her about her winning story (includes audio excerpts from the text) Jungfrau is from 'Moss' published by Kwela Books, 2004.
Also on the judges' shortlist Darrel Bristow-Bovey (South Africa), for 'A Joburg story', from 'African Compass - New Writing from Southern Africa 2005', published by Spearhead, 2005.
Sefi Atta (Nigeria), for 'The Last Trip', from Chimurenga 8, 2006
Laila Lalami (Morocco), for 'The Fanatic', from 'Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits', published by Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, 2005.
Muthoni Garland (Kenya), for 'Tracking the Scent of My Mother', from 'Seventh Street Alchemy: A Selection of Writings from the Caine Prize for African Writing 2004', published by Jacana Media, 2005.
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