African Authors Honoured at Botswana Book Festival
South African Jamakazi Bazana earned best opera literary singer, while compatriot Nomawele Njongo won for best community literary author.
FRANCISTOWN, Botswana- The Chedu Chonga Hall was a hub for literary enthusiasts Friday as authors and poets from across Africa gathered for the Francistown International Book Festival and award celebration, writes Winston Mwale.
The event, moved from the renovated civic center, featured honorees from Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Ward councilor Jojo Lucas and the CEO of COSBOTS attended.
"It was the cradle of entertainment this past Friday with literature enthusiasts from four various African countries under the same roof in Francistown, Botswana," said one of the organizers Dr. Paula O.M. Otukile of Mulher Forte African Literature.
Botswana winners included Mrs. Winnie Mpala for best novelist, Lerato Moalosi for best indigenous book newcomer, Katlego Molebatsi for best poetry book, and Gaolatlhe Setso Setsile.
One Pearl Matlapeng took best indigenous book author.
South African Jamakazi Bazana earned best opera literary singer, while compatriot Nomawele Njongo won for best community literary author.
Macdonald Pagiwa of Zimbabwe claimed best international poet.
Keamogetsi Molapong from Namibia received best international poetry book.
The lusophone literature award for Beni Dya Mbaxi was accepted in absentia.