LUSAKA, ZAMBIA, 1st September 2023 – Sylvia Mbewe has been announced as the 2023 Kalemba Short Story Prize winner for her short story, described as “immersive, spellbinding and unapologetic” by Judges. The USD1500 award is for the best work of original and unpublished short fiction written in English by a Zambian author.
Meanwhile, Up the Eucalyptus Tree by Mikha Mweetwa and No Strings Attached by Mukandi Siame emerged as run-ups. Mbewe won for Dark Motives — a captivating classic story of a man trying to get rid of an extra-marital problem.
“Dingani turned his head to study her; her arms were folded across her chest – a defensive stance. Her lips were pouting in a petulant manner – defiance. Her forehead was creased in a scowl that brought her two big moles on either side of her nose bridge closer together – anger. She kept her eyes staring dead ahead, refusing to meet his eyes or acknowledge him.”
A graduate of Evelyn Hone College and radiographer by profession, Mbewe is an avid reader turned writer. “Writing, for me, was nurtured out of my almost obsessive habit of reading books,” she says. “Eventually, I found myself transitioning from constantly reading to attempting to write my own stories.”
Mbewe almost didn’t submit her winning story. “I was in labour while concluding Dark Motives and racing to beat the clock to the deadline. I almost shelved it but persevered on it in the last minute.”
Winning the Kalemba Prize, she said “would truly be a monumental achievement and a highlight in my writing journey that I will proudly share with my eight-month-old baby in the years to come. It would not only open up exciting new opportunities but also boost my confidence as a writer, allowing me to pursue my passion with even greater determination and conviction.”
A native of Chingola, Mbewe, will be presented with the award at a special event in Lusaka later in September.
Her story beat five others to win the prize, including, in second place, Up the Eucalyptus Tree by Mikha Mweetwa and No Strings Attached (second run-up) by Mukandi Siame – both will receive USD500 each.
Other finalists are Animals by Mutale Chisulo, Don’t Forget to Remember by Birbal Boniface Musoba, and Glyn Mwiya’s The Guest.
A total of 242 stories competed for the 2023 Kalemba Prize, now in its fourth edition.
The judging panel, chaired by editor and writer Austin Kaluba, described the story as “dark as its name; immersive and unforgettable storytelling,” said the judges. “It is the classic story of a man trying to get rid of an extra-marital problem; however, the author tells it with fresh insights by utilizing the interiority of the characters. Speaking of characters, the author presents us with realistic, flawed individuals who unapologetically scheme to get what they want. The skillful plotting draws the reader to the grizzly twist at the end.
Kaluba was joined on the panel by award-winning writer Mbozi Haimbe — winner of the 2019 Commonwealth Short-Story Prize Africa Region for Madam’s Sister; Burundian writer and creative Lionel Ntasano and award-winning German-Zambian novelist —The Entitled, Chobela Ndilila.
The 2024 Kalemba Prize will open later in the year.
