David L. Lukudu/ Blog

Ngugi wa Thiong'o passes on, but his legacy will continue to shine on. Here I share two great books that I first read as a teenager many many years ago, books that still continue to stir me to this day.

It all began with an extract from A Grain of Wheat in an English composition class in school those many years ago. But that will be a topic for another day ...

Congratulations to Kenyan writer Peter Ngila Njeri on winning this prize. He was also a participant at the Ibua novel manuscript workshop in Kampala at the end of July. Looking forward to reading this book, when it becomes available. 👍

Kenyan Writer Peter Ngila Njeri Wins the 2023 James Currey Prize for African Literature Kenyan writer Peter Ngila Njeri has won the 2023 James Currey Prize for African Literature with his stunning novel manuscript Legend of Beach House. The award is administered by the James Currey Society and its director/founder Onyeka Nwelue, and named in honor of South African publisher James Cu

25-27 July 2023; Kampala, Uganda: Ibua Publishing Novel Manuscript Workshop. How wonderful it is to take part in this East African project and great to meet the main facilitator, Kenyan writer, Billy Kahora, after over ten years! Billy was the managing editor of the reknowned Kenyan literary magazine, Kwani? for many many years but is now teaching creative writing at the University of Bristol, in the UK.

I recall back in 2011, when he visited South Sudan, as part of a "pilgrimages" project sponsored by the Chinua Achebe Center at Bard College, in New York; then directed by the late Binyavanga Wainaina. Fellow South Sudanese writer and friend, Victor Lugala, linked him up with me, and I was happy to help out, especially him finding his way around Juba: a city which was just blossoming with the joys and possibilities of a newly independent state.

The Achebe Center's project involved 14 African writers sent to 13 African cities, and one city in Brazil, for two weeks, to explore the complexities of disparate urban landscapes. It was an interesting venture that not only encampassed collecting information, but also touring the cities both during day time and at night to get a better grasp of the outlook.

And, yes, I remember the brilliant pilgrimage writings were later published on the Chimurenga Chronic website: www.chimurengachronic.co.za.

It is always a pleasure to me to meet and converse with writers and like-minded people. 👍