Lindani Mbunyuza-Memani has been announced as the winner of the 2024 Dinaane Debut Fiction Award, for her novel manuscript ‘Buried in the Chest’.
The Dinaane Award, run by the Jacana Literary Foundation, aims to ‘promote new southern African fiction that speaks to both a local and international audience’. The award also ‘encourages new writers and new readers by publishing material that would likely otherwise not have been selected—for purely commercial reasons—by local publishers of literature’.
Prize organisers received over sixty submissions this year. ‘Buried in the Chest’ was shortlisted alongside ‘Jacaranda Days’ by Zoe Ngombane and ‘The Price of Blood in Pretoria’ by Alasdair Cameron.
Mbunyuza-Memani, who is a recent graduate with an MA in English Literature from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and an MFA in Creative Writing, and lives in the United States, crafted ‘a bold and startling novel’, according to prize judges. Set in post-apartheid South Africa, ‘Buried in the Chest’ explores themes of self-discovery, love and cultural identity, as a young woman searches for her mother amid the complexities of her village upbringing.
Mbunyuza-Memani said:
‘I am deeply honoured to receive the 2024 Dinaane Debut Fiction Award. I thank Rehana and the panel of judges, Jacana, and everyone involved in making this possible. This journey began as a part of my MFA, where this novel first took shape. After some time on the shelf, it found new life with the encouragement of my husband to publish. I am committed to writing and exploring new narratives, yet my heart and my dreams remain deeply connected to my homeland, South Africa.’
Prize judges Rehana Rossouw (chair), Jennifer Malec and Robert Muponde said in their statement:
‘As Unathi explores lesbian love, interracial relationships and the quest for her mother’s truth, she must also contend with the harsh realities of identity politics and the masks she must wear to survive.
‘“Buried in the Chest” deals with familiar themes in South African writing, but with an approach that is astonishingly fresh and accomplished. The author interrogates the painful history of apartheid with a unique literary style, and the book lingers in the heart and mind long after reading. This poetic novel is the kind of inventive truth-telling South Africa urgently needs as we continue to grapple with the past and imagine a better future for all.’
Mbunyuza-Memani receives a R35,000 cash prize, a publication deal with Jacana Media, and international rights representation by Pontas Literary and Film Agency, based in Barcelona, Spain. Pontas will also support Mbunyuza-Memani in furthering her literary career.
‘We are thrilled to recognise Lindani Mbunyuza-Memani for her exceptional debut. It’s a captivating novel with exquisite storytelling and a singular voice,’ said Maggie Davey, Jacana Media’s publishing director. Bridget Impey, Jacana Media’s Publishing Director, adds: ‘We are delighted that Pontas Agency will accompany Lindani on her future literary journey.’
‘Buried in the Chest’ is available for pre-order now, and will be published in January 2024.
Previous winners of the Dinaane Award, previously known as the European Union Literary Award, include Ishtiyaq Shukri for The Silent Minaret (2004), Fred Khumalo for Bitches’ Brew (2005), Kopano Matlwa for Coconut (2007), Mubanga Kalimamukwento for The Mourning Bird (2019) and Rešoketšwe Manenzhe for Scatterlings (2020).
