Writivism

Issued on March 31, 2016, 13:00 hours EAT, Kampala, Uganda

 The Centre for African Cultural Excellence (CACE) in collaboration with the Stellenbosch University English department is delighted to announce the Writivism residency for emerging African Writers.

From September 1 to 30, 2016, Pemi Aguda, winner of the 2015 Writivism Short Story Prize will be the inaugural writer-in-residence under the partnership. During her time at the university, she will work on a fiction manuscript and have the opportunity to participate in reading groups, public lectures and other literary activities in the department. She will also do a public reading or seminar on her writing.

Other past and future winners of the Writivism Short Story Prize will also benefit from the opportunity. Basic funding for the residency will be provided by the Miles Morland Foundation and the university will support the programme in kind.

Miles Morland Foundation’s Director Michela Wrong and Secretary Mathilda Edwards at the 2015 Writivism Festival

Kagayi Peter, Coordinator for Writivism Anglophone programmes commented:

“We are grateful for the partnerships. The growth of our literary spirit is a collective effort. We congratulate Pemi on the residency.”

“This residency is important because to make a writing career work, one needs the space, time, and a community supportive of their endeavours. In a way, just winning 400$ prize money in Kampala wasn’t enough foundation for an emerging writer to build a career. This residency will be a game-changer,” Bwesigye Bwa Mwesigire, Partnerships Director at CACE said.

Pemi Aguda said:

“Writivism is the gift that keeps giving. I’m looking forward to this writing month away to work with the University community.”

 

Kyomuhendo A Ateenyi, a CACE co-founder and its Director based in Kampala added,

“We are confident that the residency will go a very long way in nurturing and promoting the talents of young African writers such as Pemi Aguda in line with the Organization’s mission.”

Prof Sally-Ann Murray, the Chair of the English Department and a novelist said:

“Colleagues in the English Department at Stellenbosch University are excited to inaugurate their partnership with the Writivism project in 2016. The month-long writer’s residency is a great opportunity for us to host emergent African and Caribbean literary talent, and to give our existing pan African academic networks a vital creative energy. And who knows, perhaps this small beginning can lead to further collaborations – participation in workshops, festivals, seminars.”

 

“This is a wonderful gift of ‘a room of one’s own’ and time. A gift that every writer needs-even more so- the emerging African writer. Thank you Writivism, thank you Stellenbosch for making this happen,” said EC Osondu (in photo below), novelist and member of the Writivism Board of Trustees.

About Writivism  

Writivism is a pan-African literary initiative that promotes emerging African writers through workshops, mentoring, publishing, prizes, a festival and activities in schools. To find out more about our activities, go to www.writivism.org and www.writivism.com. Also follow us on Twitter @Writivism or call +256702038098.