Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Leading prize for 'Homeric' story

Alex Kiprotich
Wednesday 07 July 2010 00:00 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The Sierra Leone writer Olufemi Terry has won the Caine Prize for African Writing, Africa's leading literary award.

His short story, "Stickfighting Days", was described by judges as "Homeric in its scale and conception".

Terry beat 115 entries from 13 countries to win the £10,000 prize, which is given annually for a short story published in English by an African writer.

Announcing the winner at Oxford University, the chairwoman of the judging panel, Fiammetta Rocco, said: "Terry's story is ambitious, brave and hugely imaginative. The execution of the story is tight, its presentation cinematic and confirms him as a talent with an enormous future."

Terry said he was overwhelmed by the prize, and hoped it would help him get his first novel published.

The writer, who lives in Cape Town, works as a journalist. He was born in Sierra Leone, but grew up in Nigeria, Britain and Cote d'Ivoire.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in