Caine Prize 2006 shortlist announced

Last Trip, from Chimurenga 8, Darrel Bristow-Bovey (South Africa), for A Joburg story, from African Compass – New Writing from Southern Africa 2005, Spearhead, Muthoni Garland (Kenya), for Tracking the Scent of My Mother, from Seventh Street Alchemy: A Selection of Writings from the Caine Prize for African Writing 2004, Jacana Media, Laila Lalami (Morocco), for The Fanatic, from Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits, Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, Mary Watson (South Africa), for Jungfrau, from Moss, Kwela Books.
This year there were 110 qualifying entries from 21 African countries for the judges to consider – the highest number since the introduction of the Caine Prize in 2000. The chosen shortlist includes writers from North, South, East and West Africa, reflecting the pan-African reach of the Caine Prize. Four out of five short-listed candidates are women.
“The overall quality of submissions was high this year,” said Dr Nana Wilson-Tagoe, who chaired the panel of judges. “We had an exciting blend of themes and styles, a marked focus on family relationships and a rich mapping of the varied physical and social landscapes of Africa.”