The Mbali Literary Awards (2012) took place at the weekend in Clocolan, South Africa. Four writers based in the Free State were honoured in different categories. Here are excerpts from the formal Citations on the winners:
Category: Author of the Year
Winner: George Rampai, author of From where I stand
“The committee was unanimous in choosing the book of the year - to wit, Mr George Rampai’s novel From where I stand. The criteria, the simple test was clear enough. This is a work, a book that can be set beside the general creative works of talented African writers like Ngugi, Ayi Kwei Armah, Gomolemo Mokae or David Maillu without feeling the awful draft...a fine imaginative novel with a number of twists in the tail to boot. We commend Mr Rampai for his creativity and impressive diction.”
Category: Commentator/Writer on literature
Winner: Kgang Abel Motheane (columnist)
“The award for commentator on literature was also a simple choice. It goes to Ntate Kgang Abel Motheane for his Bookshelf column. It is a superb, concise, informative column which comes out every week. This year alone, the column has published excellent appraisals on writers like Leseli Mokhele, Gomolemo Mokae, George Rampai, Job Mzamo etc; why, even the late illustrious Gore Vidal (American) was featured in the column! It is no surprise that a large number of these excellent write-ups have found themselves on the internet for the world to read”
Category: Most promising new author of the year
Winner: Ishmael Mzwandile Soqaga
“For the category of promising newcomer, new author of the year, the committee is again unanimous in announcing Mr Ishmael Mzwandile Soqaga as the winner. His book, a nuanced individual study, his critical work on the iconic writer, Omoseye Bolaji has been hailed across the board as a success. (The book is titled Omoseye Bolaji: a voyage around his literary work) It is no exaggeration to state that never before on our shores have we witnessed any new author and their debut book attracting so many quality reviews, critiques etc as Mr Soqaga has done. Our congratulations to him too.”
Category: Lifetime Achievement award category
Recipient: Omoseye Bolaji
“Mbali Awards Committee is also happy to announce that we decided to bestow a special Lifetime Achievement award on Mr Omoseye Bolaji this year. Here is a man who has seen it all and done it all. Mr Bolaji is truly a great African writer. Not only because he has published some 30 books of various genre. Not only because multiple critical books have been published on him; not to talk of countless essays published around the world on his literary work; and never mind his many awards. But also mainly because he has dedicated his life selflessly to promoting quintessential literature, inspiring, spreading pertinent literary information and knowledge in excellent fashion whilst somewhat seemingly lurking in the background most of the time. He remains the key, pivotal protagonist in respect of our literature.”
Above pix: Bolaji (left) and Motheane with their certificates
4 comments:
Heartfelt congratulations! Nobody deserves these awards more than the guys here, especially Bolaji and Rampai
Apparently a rumbustious literary-studded occasion. My congratulations to all the recipients.
Yes, congratulations all around. I enjoy reading these Citations. there is no point dishing out awards if we don't have any idea how or why the winners won, so to speak. This is good.
Ntate Lechesa I strongly agree with you, these awards were long overdue, and the recipients are well deserving, Kudos... Ntate Bolaji we salute you! Pula
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