Luanda / Nairobi – July 8, 2025

Angolan literature continues to shine on the African literary stage as two books by distinguished Angolan authors have been named finalists for the prestigious 10th edition of the Sankofa Book Awards Kenya 2025. The award ceremony, set to take place on September 26 in Nairobi, Kenya, is one of the most anticipated literary events on the continent.

Finalist Works:

📘 “Os Bantus na Visão de Mafrano – Volume II” (The Bantus in Mafrano’s Vision – Volume II)
Author: Maurício Francisco Caetano (widely known as Mafrano)
A historical-literary work that delves deep into the cultural heritage of the Bantu peoples, Mafrano’s book offers both a scholarly and literary contribution that highlights the relevance of Bantu identities in the context of modern Africa.

📕 “O Recluso: O Princípio e o Fim de uma Injustiça” (The Prisoner: The Beginning and the End of an Injustice)
Author: Nituecheni Africano
This profound and emotionally charged novel recounts the harrowing journey of a wrongfully convicted prisoner, offering readers an unflinching look into the realities of the prison system and the human spirit’s resilience in the face of injustice.

According to the Sankofa Awards organizing committee, this year’s competition received over 80 submissions, representing 33 authors from 20 African publishers. The finalists were selected based on stringent criteria that included:

• Literary excellence
• Originality
• Socio-cultural relevance
• Contribution to contemporary African thought

One of the award’s curators, speaking in a press statement, emphasized that “the nomination of two Angolan works demonstrates the vitality of our national literature and its growing recognition across the continent.”

About the Sankofa Book Awards:

Founded in 2015, the Sankofa Book Awards were established to recognize and celebrate African authors who promote historical memory, cultural identity, and literary innovation. The term Sankofa, derived from the Akan language of Ghana, translates to:
“Go back and fetch what was forgotten.”
It reflects the awards’ mission to honor literary works that revisit, preserve, and reimagine Africa’s rich and diverse histories.

Angola’s presence among this year’s finalists is widely seen as a testament to the country’s literary renaissance and its expanding influence on the international literary map.

The 2025 award ceremony in Nairobi is expected to draw authors, publishers, intellectuals, and cultural leaders from across Africa, all eager to celebrate and support the continent’s literary voices. With anticipation building, the literary world now awaits the announcement of the winners who will take home the coveted Sankofa honors.

Author Biographies:

Maurício Francisco Caetano (Mafrano): A renowned historian, writer, and cultural advocate, Mafrano has dedicated his career to the preservation and promotion of Bantu history and traditions. His meticulous research and engaging storytelling have positioned him as one of Angola’s leading intellectual voices.

Nituecheni Africano: A celebrated Angolan novelist and social commentator, Africano’s works often highlight social injustices and human rights. His writing is known for its depth, sensitivity, and commitment to shedding light on the marginalized voices within African societies.

Past Sankofa Award Winners:

• 2024: “Voices of the Sahel” by Awa Diop (Senegal)
• 2023: “When the Baobab Falls” by Tinashe Zulu (Zimbabwe)
• 2022: “Children of the Nile” by Yared Tesfaye (Ethiopia)
• 2021: “The Forgotten Drum” by Nthabiseng Mokoena (South Africa)

Each of these works has contributed significantly to African literature by fostering reflection on history, identity, and social justice.

The Diaspora Times