#ETISALATPRIZE2014: ANGELIQUE KIDJO, WOLE SOYINKA, DAREY, NIKE OSHINOWO, KUNLE AFOLAYAN, MAI ATAFO, OTHERS STAND UP FOR ETISALAT PRIZE FOR LITERATURE WINNER, SONGEZIWE MAHLANGU (PHOTOS)

... As Angelique Kidjo, Wole Soyinka, Nike Oshinowo, Others Celebrate Winner. 

Lagos|Nigeria: South African author Songeziwe Mahlangu has been named winner of the 2014 Etisalat Prize for Literature competition. 

The Cape Town resident won the prize for his stunning debut novel 'Penumbra,' a dystopic story of the life of an underachieving young man suffering from mental illness in post-apartheid South Africa. 

In an action-packed finale at Intercontinental Hotel in Lagos, the 30 year-old writer was named as the winner ahead of fellow South African Nadia Davids and Nigerian Chinelo Okparanta.

The CEO of Etisalat, Mathew Willsher, awarded him the sum of £15,000 and an engraved MontBlanc pen. In addition Songeziwe will attend the prestigious Etisalat Fellowship at the University of East Anglia where he will be mentored by Professor Giles Foden. 

A visibly emotional Mahlangu thanked his publisher and his mother for giving him a platform and believing in him. When asked what he would use the money for, he commented, "I will use this money to support myself for the next two years while I keep on writing." 

The 3 final shortlisted books, Penumbra, Happiness like Water and An Imperfect Blessing were brought to life with pulsating re enactments directed by Ifeoma Fafunwa, one of the best directors in Nigeria with a string of successfully directed plays under her belt including the V- monologues. The re enactments were done by a crop of very talented Nigerian Actors led by OC Ukeje, Bimbo Manuel, Bimbo Akintola and a team of very fantastic new actors.

Angelique Kidjo later closed the show with breathtaking performances of her all time-hit songs including Wobolombo, Agolo, Eva, Mama Africa among other hits. She also featured the Winner of the Etisalat sponsored Nigerian Idol season 4 winner, Evelle who had earlier performed her hit song, Kilimanjaro.

Notable guests include renowned Nobel Prize for Literature winner, prof. Wole Soyinka, Hakeem Belo- Osagie, President of the Association of Nigerian Authors. Prof Remi Raji-Oyelade, poet and former president of the Association of Nigerian Authors, the Iyaoge of Lagos, Chief Opral Benson, Odia Ofeimun, Award winning actor, Kunle Afolayan, Nike Oshinowo, Darey Art Alade and Kelechi Amadi-Obi. 

Other guests include Reze Bonna, Sam Onyemelukwe, Tolu Ogunlesi, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi, Bantu, Hauwa Mokan, Kemi Lala among many others. 

Mahlangu now joins Zimbabwean NoViolet Bulawayo as the second winner of the annual pan African prize that promotes the work of published first time authors.

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THE FUTURE AFRICA AWARDS AND SUMMIT HOSTS ITS PAST JUDGES TO AN EVENING OF FINE WINE AND JAZZ (FIRST PHOTOS)

The Future Africa Awards and Summit hosts its past judges to an evening of fine wine and jazz (FIRST PHOTOS)

The Future Africa Awards and Summit officially presented the members of the Advisory Council - Nigeria and honoured them for their unwavering support through the years at the Wheatbaker Hotel on Monday, July 7, 2014.

The event which was an evening of Jazz, fine wine, presentations and good company had in attendance Adesewa Onyenekwe, Bolanle Austen Peters, OC Ukeje, Mai Atafo, Kemi Lala Akindoju, Gideon Okeke, Wana Wana Udoabong, Tosin Martins, Shade Ladipo amongst others.

See photos.

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WOMEN RISING 2014: WAJE, PILANI BUBU, LALA AKINDOJU, MOLARA WOOD, OTHERS SET TO THRILL AT THE MUSIC CONCERT THIS WEEKEND

Arts, culture and lifestyle centre – Life House presents the second edition of Women Rising – a music concert and art weekender to hold March 16 and 17 2014 in Lagos Nigeria.

The first event of the weekender is the literary salon event tagged ‘Letters & The Lady’ would hold at the Wheat baker Hotel Ikoyi, on March 15 at 6pm. The event would feature new literary work ‘Indigo’ by Molara Wood's book; an enchanting debut collection of short stories encased in a beautiful art-infused paper cover, will be introduced. Excerpts from

Indigo as well as a variety of prose, poetry, and spoken word and song lyrics penned, inspired by, or written for women will be read. There will also be a book signing opportunity with Indigo author, Molara Wood.

Ugoma Adegoke; organizer of the event said “Literature loving guests can also expect to read from the winning & shortlisted books of the 2014 Etisalat Prize for Literature - We Need New Names by NoViolet Bulawayo and Bom Boy by Yewande Omotoso, they are also guaranteed of lively conversations and a rich experience especially as the latter part of the event will feature an electrifying session in which the general audience and special guests will read and discuss Letters To Our Younger and Our Older Selves. This powerful literary and female empowering event is not to be missed!”

The second event lined up for the weekender is the concert platform which is designed to celebrate musical woman and female musicianship will witness live musical show by a  lineup of talented local and international female musicians.

Artistes billed to perform include R&B songstress Waje, Trybe Records recording artist;  Aramide, Diwari (Nigerian Idol  Season 3), Fatima, Dupe Kachi (MTN Project Fame's Voice Coach and singer),  Lala with Pilani Bubu(South Africa) and Sian Thomas (United Kingdom).

“This year’s concert line-up promises exciting, unforgettable performances and experimental musical exchanges and in signature Woman Rising style, the performances will be flavoured with reading interludes and special guest appearances.” Ugoma Adegoke added

The night’s event will be hosted by Nollywood Actress Kemi-Lala Akindoju and Smooth 98.1FM's Aderonke Adebanjo.

To make reservations or buy tickets, email info@thelifehouselagos.com or visit www.afritickets.com

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