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judges' comments
This is what the judges had to say about the winning entries for the
2002 prize:
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Who are you?
“Rosina Umelo’s Who are you? wonderfully evokes
a range of characters and their community in this story about an abandoned child. At its
heart, it is about how people value – or don’t value – children. This is a
powerful yet subtly told story which is alive with humour and insight into how
contradictory we can be as human beings.” |
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Unanswered Cries
“Osman Conteh deserves praise for his brave story, which
breaks the silence over female circumcision. It is well plotted and crafted, compelling
the reader to engage with the characters and issues. Conteh raises very important
questions in a humane way that will encourage young people to ask more.” |
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Daudi’s Dream
“Best newcomer, Susan Kajura, has created in Daudi’s
Dream an engagingly enterprising little boy who has a lively sense of purpose as he
sets out to win enough money for his mother to buy a sewing machine. Kajura demonstrates
extraordinary flair in her writing and the quick-paced dialogue and action combine to
bring a community alive”. |
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The Stone Virgins
‘A powerful and lyrical narrative with an original voice that
blurs distinctions between poetry and prose…a story of resistance, struggle and
betrayal … a lament, and a stringing together of a people’s history.’ |
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