By Prisca Sam Duru

FROM the moment the Democratic Republic of Congo writer, Fiston Mwanza Mujila began reading an excerpt from his début novel, ‘Tram 83’ during the Etisalat Nigeria Book Reading held at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotels, Lagos, last Thursday, it was clear he was going to pick up the coveted Etisalat Prize for Literature.

It wasn’t because he had the best voice or performed better but because the nature of his work spoke loudly of a writer thinking out of the box. His style was described as nouveau by many.

L-R: Efosa Imasuen, (moderator), Penny Busetto( The Story of Anna P as told by herself), Fiston Mujila Tram 83 ( Winner) and Rehana Rossolu, (What People Say) during the Etisalat book reading in Lagos

True to that, Poet and novelist Fiston Mwanza Mujila was on Saturday, 19th March 2016 announced as the winner of the 2015 Etisalat Prize for Literature for his first novel, Tram 83.

Originally written in French, Tram 83 was translated into English by Roland Glasser and published by Deep Vellum. 35-year-old Mujila is the first Francophone writer to win the prestigious Etisalat Prize, the first ever pan-African prize that celebrates debut fiction books by African authors. Mujila got the Etisalat Prize after beating two South African authors; Penny Busetto (

The Story of Anna P as told by herself) and “What will People Say” by Rehana Rossouw.

At the grand finale held at Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos he received 15,000 Pounds and a specially engraved Montblanc Meisterstück pen as well as a scholarship at the University of East Anglia, U.K. for mentorship in writing. Mujila becomes the third winner of the Pan-African literary prize for first time published authors in the fiction category instituted by Etisalat telecommunication company since 2013. Zimbabwean writer, Ms NoViolet Bulawayo won the maiden edition in 2013 with her novel, ‘We Need New Names’ while South African Songeziwe Mahlangu won the 2014 edition for Penumbra.

Fiston Mwanza Mujila was born in 1981 in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo, where he studied Literature and Human Sciences at Lubumbashi University. He now lives in Graz, Austria and is pursuing a PhD in Romance Languages. His writing has been awarded with numerous prizes, including the Gold Medal at the 6th Jeux de la Francophonie in Beirut as well as the Best Text for Theater (State Theater, Mainz) in 2010. His poems, prose works, and plays are reactions to the political turbulence that has come in the wake of the independence of the Congo and its effect on daily life. According to Prof Quayson, out of 100 entries received which were pruned to 9 and finally 3, Tram 83 emerged winner.

Flash Fiction category

He commended the boldness of Etisalat in interpreting books through the adaptation that were complemented with screen images and compliment live performance adding that “It’s a unique prize in its own right, of books written by Africans and judged by Africans. It’s storytelling that expands our imagination; that gives us empathy for people we do not know. It’s storytelling that makes us law-abiding citizens.”

On the Flash Fiction category, Kuti Ojuolape Modupe won for her story titled ‘Gone’. She emerged winner out of over 1300 entries.

Declaring her winner, Chair of the judges Mr Toni Kani congratulated her for the feat. He also commended Etisalat Nigeria for the integrity it has shown over the years which is evident in the quality of books that have won the prestigious prize.

He said “out of over 1300 entries received in the Flash Fiction category, only 50 were selected out of which the three shortlist emerged. The entries he said, all expressed emotions and issues that affect us as a people.”

The Chief Executive Officer Etisalat Nigeria, Mr Matthew Wilsher in his opening remarks, said that the “Etisalat Prize for Literature bears out this years theme, Representing the Diversity of African Voices as something that is the beauty of it and a foundation for innovation which is something we truly believe in, something in our roots.

Diversity is very true in literature while innovation is very important in literary world. The diversity in literature is key.

It is not about the cheque of 15,000 pounds but about recognizing writers and rewarding publishers.”

He thanked all those who entered the Prize adding that Etisalat is proud to be associated with what the three shortlisted authors have done.

Doing what he knows best to do was spoken word performer Efe Paul Azino’s whose performance of…..turned out amazing as usual. Out musicians billed to perform at the ceremony, only Kpeace was lucky as Asa and Darey couldn’t due to late start of event.