The Longlist 

We are pleased to announce the longlist for the 2021 Afritondo Short Story Prize. We received 363 entries from 20 countries, from which we have selected 16 outstanding entries with the help of a team of readers.

The writers whose stories appear on the longlist are:

1. Joshua Chizoma - Collector of memories (Nigeria)

2. Rémy Ngamije - The Hope, The Prayer, And The Anthem (or, The Fall So Far) (Namibia)

3. Athol Williams - Silly Nelson (South Africa)

4. Henry Mutua - Small mercies (Kenya)

5. Dennis Mugaa - The distance in between (Kenya)

6. Ken Lipenga Jr - Homeward (Malawi)

7. Deborah Vuha - Roses of skin and iron (Ghana)

8. Queen Nneoma Kanu - Tafetta (Nigeria)

9. Lyop Dalyop - Blackie (Nigeria)

10. Desta Haile - Ethio-Cubano (UK/Eritrea)

11. Faraaz Mahomed - Gracious (South Africa)

12. Chidera Nwume - Remember me (Nigeria)

13. Ngansop Roy - To the son of my friend (Cameroon/UAE)

14. Prosper Wilton Makara - A likeness in stone (Zimbabwe)

15. Charles Muhumuza - Brown eyes (Uganda)

16. Justin Clement - Human cities (Nigeria)

The judges, Edwige Dro, Maneo Mohale, and Kiprop Kimutai, will meet and decide on a shortlist which will be announced next month.

Thank you to everyone who sent us a story and congratulations to the longlisted writers. We wish them all the best of luck!