South African writer Nadia Davids has been awarded the 2024 Caine Prize for African Writing for her outstanding short story, Bridling, published in The Georgia Review in 2023.

This year’s competition witnessed a record-breaking number of submissions, with 320 entries spanning 28 African countries vying for the coveted prize, while also marking a significant milestone in the Caine Prize’s history as it enters its 25th year.

Speaking of the winning story, award winning author Chika Unigwe (Chair of Judges) said: “Bridling is an impressive achievement, a triumph of language, storytelling and risk-taking while maintaining a tightly controlled narrative about women who rebel.

It embodies the spirit of the Caine Prize, which is to celebrate the richness and diversity of short stories by African writers. That is to say, to challenge the single story of African literature.”

Nadia Davids joins the esteemed rank of previous winners, including Senegalese writers Mame Bougouma Diene & Woppa Diallo (2023), Kenyan writer Idza Luhumyo (2022), Ethiopian-American writer Meron Hadero (2021), and Nigerian-British writer Irenosen Okjie (2020).

This year’s judging panel comprised poet, artist and filmmaker Julianknxx; writer, scholar and filmmaker Siphiwe Gloria Ndlovu; Hip-Hop artist Tumi Molekane aka Stogie T and novelist Ayesha Harruna Attah.

Nadia Davids will receive the prestigious £10,000 Caine Prize, in addition to having her work featured in the 2024 Caine Prize Anthology, Midnight In the Morgue and Other Stories published by Cassava Republic Press.

Runners-up Tryphena Yeboah, Samuel Kolawole, Uche Okonkwo and Pemi Aguda will receive a prize of £500 and also feature in the 2024 Caine Prize Anthology. The 2024 anthology will also include stories from this year’s workshop held in Salima, Malawi.

The Caine Prize for African Writing has played a pivotal role in shaping the careers of African writers for nearly 25 years, offering unmatched global visibility and opportunities, including publishing deals and writing fellowships. Commenting on this year’s award, Ellah Wakatama OBE, Chair of The Caine Prize Board of Trustees, expressed “I was delighted by the range and ambition of this year’s shortlisted stories.

It is especially pleasing to see writers many will recognise and to introduce new voices. As we enter into our 25th year, it’s wonderful to have such a strong shortlist and formidable Nadia Davis as our winner.”