Entry for the City Press book award of R60 000 is now open. The award is made annually to enable a writer to complete a nonfiction manuscript. The winner receives R60 000 to fund the research and writing of a work of nonfiction dealing with any subject of importance to the South African context. The closing date for entries is 30 April 2014 and the details can be found here:
http://www.tafelberg.com/citypress or http://www.nb.co.za/citypress
This year’s shortlist was recently announced:
Kagisho Montshabatho, with his offbeat memoir of a township boy from Ermelo who grabbed a precarious opportunity to study, fell in love with C programming and went on to become a slots engineer where he worked in the exciting, yet dangerous world of casinos. A fresh take growing up in South Africa today.
Don Pinnock, who explores the underbelly of the Cape’s gang culture. He looks at how apartheid social engineering destroyed extended families, how poverty damaged nuclear families and how corruption unzipped the police. Central to this investigation is how and why young people, left to themselves and lured by wealth through crime and drugs, are holding one of the world's most beautiful cities to ransom.
Christelle Terreblanche, who writes about the compelling life of Estcourt-born activist Phyllis Naidoo. Naidoo’s unconventional story speaks of integrity, humility and courage. It sheds light on what happens when ordinary people get caught up in extraordinary times. Naidoo’s story offers a richly patterned account of the struggle for freedom.
The winner will be announced at the Open Book Festival in Cape Town on 10 September. Ferial Haffajee, editor-in-chief of City Press will hand over the prize. The book will be published in 2015.
The award of R60 000 is made annually. The winner of last year’s award, Dr Maria Phalime, is currently completing her book that deals with the crisis in South Africa’s hospitals. Phalime’s book will be published by Tafelberg early in 2014.