A KING William’s Town born author is to launch his debut novel at the Steve Biko Centre on Thursday.
Masande Ntshanga has been listed for a 2015 Etisalat Literature Prize for The Reactive.
The Etisalat prize is a pan-African award celebrating first-time writers of published fiction books.
It was launched in 2013 by Etisalat Nigeria, a telecommunications network, and aims to promote the publishing industry at large.
The company buys 1000 copies of all shortlisted books and donates them to schools, book clubs and libraries across the African continent.
Ntshanga yesterday told Ntshanga he was already reaping the rewards of being listed for the prize.
“The book is already being sold in other African countries so has been helpful in terms of exposure and getting my work to reach more people,” he said.
The former Rolling Stone magazine journalist was the winner of the inaugural PEN International New Voices Award in 2013 for a short story titled Space.
Ntshanga, who holds an honours degree in English as well as a film and media production degree from the University of Cape Town, said he decided to launch in Ginsberg because he was an admirer of the Steve Biko Foundation initiative.
“ I thought it would be great to contribute by having my launch there.
“There’s also a sense of added significance since the centre is in my hometown,” said Ntshanga.
The Reactive centres on three friends who sell ARVs illegally in Cape Town.
One protagonist, Lindanathi, still grieving over the death of his younger brother, feels guilty.
He has turned his back on his family when a message reminds him of home.
Lindanathi has to decided whether to continue his life in Cape Town or return to his family. The launch will be held at the Steve Biko Centre this Thursday at 6pm.
Biko Centre launch for debut novel
Masande Ntshanga has been listed for a 2015 Etisalat Literature Prize for The Reactive.
The Etisalat prize is a pan-African award celebrating first-time writers of published fiction books.
It was launched in 2013 by Etisalat Nigeria, a telecommunications network, and aims to promote the publishing industry at large.
The company buys 1000 copies of all shortlisted books and donates them to schools, book clubs and libraries across the African continent.
Ntshanga yesterday told Ntshanga he was already reaping the rewards of being listed for the prize.
“The book is already being sold in other African countries so has been helpful in terms of exposure and getting my work to reach more people,” he said.
The former Rolling Stone magazine journalist was the winner of the inaugural PEN International New Voices Award in 2013 for a short story titled Space.
Ntshanga, who holds an honours degree in English as well as a film and media production degree from the University of Cape Town, said he decided to launch in Ginsberg because he was an admirer of the Steve Biko Foundation initiative.
“ I thought it would be great to contribute by having my launch there.
“There’s also a sense of added significance since the centre is in my hometown,” said Ntshanga.
The Reactive centres on three friends who sell ARVs illegally in Cape Town.
One protagonist, Lindanathi, still grieving over the death of his younger brother, feels guilty.
He has turned his back on his family when a message reminds him of home.
Lindanathi has to decided whether to continue his life in Cape Town or return to his family. The launch will be held at the Steve Biko Centre this Thursday at 6pm.
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