The University of Johannesburg Prize for South African Writing, known as the UJ Prize, has announced its 2024 shortlisted writers.

The UJ Prize was established in 2006 for South African writers regardless of their connection with the university. It is open to books published in the English language and has two categories: the Main Prize and the Debut Prize.

A panel from the Department of English at the University of Johannesburg, along with academics from other universities and one member from the media or publishing industry, usually judges the prizes.

Some of the previous winners of the UJ Prize include Mandla Langa, Jacob Dlamini, Rešoketšwe Manenzhe, Gabeba Baderoon, and Zakes Mda.

The quality of the entries, especially from the first-time authors, impressed the judges this year.

The books on the UJ Prize 2024 Shortlist are:

Debut Prize

• A Soft Landing (novel) by Wisani Mushwana
• Guerrillas and Combative Mothers (non-fiction) by Siphokazi Magadla
• The Institute for Creative Dying (novel) by Jarred Thompson

Main Prize

• Breasts, etc. (novel) by Nthikeng Mohlele
• Paperless (novel) by Buntu Siwisa
• Three Egg Dilemma (novel) by Morabo Morojele

Prize

The organizers will award R70,000 to the main prize winner and R35,000 to the debut prize winner. They will announce the winners from the UJ Prize 2024 Shortlist before the end of September.

To learn how to write eloquently enough to be considered for prizes similar to the UJ Prize, The Kirkus Prize, Nebraska Book Awards, and Toyin Falola Prize, read this article on writing.