The Nation Media Group in partnership with the Nairobi French Embassy and Spotlight Publishers on Tuesday night announced the second edition of a Swahili creative literature competition.

Submissions for the competition dubbed “Tuzo ya Fasihi ya Ubunifu” will be open from July 16 and will close on September 16. It’s the only prize of its kind in Kenya.

The announcement was made as the partners launched the award winning book Nyota Njema Mawinguni in a colourful ceremony attended by a majority of Swahili writers and enthusiasts at the Alliance Francaise in Nairobi.

DEBUT NOVEL

Mr Amos Nandasaba, who has previously published children’s books in the past won the coveted Sh1 million prize with this debut novel.

Mr Ndabasa, a Kiswahili and History teacher by profession, was accompanied by his family to the ceremony and regaled the gathering with what inspired the book.

NMG’s Group CEO Joe Muganda said the company was keen on promoting Swahili in the region and the initiative would give writers the chance to showcase their works.

“NMG has offered to intentionally grow Swahili and as the best means of telling people what is going on in the country and around the world,” Mr Muganda said.

Spotlight Publishers CEO Isaac Sossion wants the government to formulate a strong and sound language policy on the use of Swahili so as to promote the growth of the language.