By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Lindani Mbunyuza-Memani was awarded the prestigious Dinaane Debut Fiction Award for her enthralling manuscript, Buried in the Chest.
The Dinaane Award, promotes exceptional first-time novelists in Southern Africa.
The announcement was made at the highly anticipated Winner Announcement Ceremony on Crowdcast.
Mbunyuza-Memani, a recent graduate with an MA in English Literature from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and an MFA in Creative Writing, has crafted a bold and startling novel set in post-apartheid South Africa.
Buried in the Chest explores themes of self-discovery, love and cultural identity through the journey of Unathi.
The young woman searches for her mother amid the complexities of her upbringing in the village of Moya. 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.
The manuscript impressed the judging panel, led by Head Judge Rehana Rossouw, along with Jennifer Malec and Robert Muponde.
In their statement, the judges praised Lindani’s approach: ‘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 approach, 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.”
As the winner of the Dinaane Debut Fiction Award, Lindani 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 Agency, known for its dedication to multicultural storytelling and nurturing emerging talent, will support Lindani 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. “We are delighted that Pontas Agency will accompany Lindani on her future literary journey,” added Bridget Impey, Jacana Media’s Publishing Director.
“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, “Lindani expressed moments after being announced as the winner. “I am committed to writing and exploring new narratives, yet my heart and my dreams remain deeply connected to my homeland, South Africa,” added Lindani, who lives in Illinois.
Buried in the Chest is now available for pre-order with a special celebratory discount of 20%, valid throughout July 2024. Pre-order your copy here: https://jacana.co.za/product/buried-in-the-chest/.