BY STAFF WRITER
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| We're Happy -- Nyondo. |
The
Wisdom Dede Kamkondo Foundation (WDFK) Monday announced a long-list of ten for
its 2014 Dede Kamkondo Short Story Contest, saying the overwhelming number of
entries that were received made it impossible for them to stick to deadlines.
Creative
director at www.malawiheat.com (Malawi
Heat) Pius Nyondo, financiers of the competition – which is in memory of
versatile Malawian writer, poet and playwright Wisdom Dede Kamkondo – said lack
of commitment on the part of donors was another setback.
However,
Nyondo was quick to say that they were happy with the long-listing development.
“Since
2013 we’ve been financing the contests from our own pockets, and it has not
been that easy. The corporate world, which we’ve approached times without
number, have not been very forthcoming,” said Nyondo.
Appearing
on the long-list of ten is Andrew Dakalira for his story Breaking Free, Beaton Galafa for Bullet in the Wind, Steve
Kumalonje for Innocent Accident, Tuntufye
Simwimba for Meet Benedict, Precious
Mulima for Scarlet Rivers, Wesley
Macheso for Sweet Mangoes in his ears, Theophany
Nammelo for The Music of Nature, Natasha
Munde for Whispers of May, Muthi
Nhlema for Legacy and Tawonga Msowoya
for Mr Charles.
104 entries entered the competition.
104 entries entered the competition.
A
team of judges comprising world acclaimed poet and memoirist Jack Mapanje,
Caine Prize twice nominated short story writer Stanley Onjezani Kenani and 2013
Peer Gynt Literary Award winner and founder of The Story Club Malawi will
select the best three stories, Nyondo said.
“Due
to the financial challenges that have currently rocked us, we may only be able
to award the first prize. Unless we source funding from elsewhere, we will not
give cash prizes to the second and third winners,” he said.
The
overall winner will cart home US$200 (about K100, 000). The winner is expected
to be announced early in April.
The
Dede Kamkondo Literary Awards are a brainchild of Nyondo and Towera Kamkondo –
daughter to Wisdom – and were inaugurated in 2012. Paul Sezzie won the
inaugural poetry award.
All
the stories can be read on www.malawiheat.com.
