By Foster Benjamin:
Children’s book writer Lindsay Katchika Jere keeps pushing the tides in the writing world as on Saturday she came second best in the Wakini Kuria Prize for Children’s Literature—African Writers Awards, organised by Writers Space Africa.
African Writers Awards Chief Judge Antony Onugba made the announcement during the closing of the 2023 African Writers Conference in Accra, Ghana.
“As a winner of the prize, you are entitled to a certificate and the equivalent of $150 to be paid to you in your local currency within 90 days…” Ognuba wrote Lindsay on Sunday.
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Apart from receiving $150 and a certificate, Lindsay’s entry Thandi and the Hair Whisperer, which explores issues of self-acceptance and inner beauty will be featured in Writers Space Africa magazine next year.
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The writer said yesterday that winning the continental award was overwhelming.
“I am thrilled to be one of the winners in this continental writing contest which obviously attracted several writers, who are even good than myself. This has ignited my passion to write more children’s stories which are still untold and unearthed,” the author behind two books, The Missing Meteorite and Taonere’s Dream, said.
She disclosed that her winning entry follows the story of a young girl named Thandi who struggles with her hair not growing, leading her to seek the help of the mysterious hair whisperer, Gogo Kakawi.
After receiving a magical spell, her hair grows long and bold, but she soon discovers the challenges that come with it. Through her journey, Thandi learns that true beauty lies in self-acceptance and being comfortable with who you are, regardless of your appearance.
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In the end, she chooses to return to her natural self, embracing her newfound wisdom and confidence, and teaches those around her that real beauty comes from within.
Veteran writer and poet Benedicto Wokomaatani Malunga has since hailed Lindsay for bagging the award and doing the nation proud.
He dared writers to enter international contests to up their game.
“Those of you that are too lazy to enter competitions, like me, let us follow the examples of the Wesley Machesos, Temwani Mgundas and lately our lady of wisdom. It is by trying that you know where you stand,” Malunga said.
Mgunda, who was one of the judges for the 2023 awards (poetry category) and 2022 winner (poetry), shared the same sentiments, urging Malawian writers to patronise international writing competitions.
