The fourth edition of the Mwalimu Nyerere National Creative Writing Award has been launched, with organisers calling on writers to strictly observe submission guidelines to avoid disqualification.
Speaking in Dar es Salaam yesterday, the award’s chairperson, Prof. Penina Mlama, outlined the criteria for the 2025/2026 competition and confirmed that the submission window will run from August 15 to November 30, 2025.
She said past editions revealed a recurring challenge of promising works being disqualified due to failure to meet basic requirements, a problem she wants eliminated this year.
“We have seen excellent works disqualified because they failed to follow instructions,” she noted. “For instance, poetry submissions must contain between 50 and 60 poems, but some send 70. Drama entries should have no more than six acts, but some send eight. Regardless of quality, non-compliant manuscripts will not be accepted.”
Prof. Mlama disclosed that more than 40 manuscripts are sidelined annually for failing to meet set standards.
She urged authors to ensure manuscripts are in proper Kiswahili, typed in Times New Roman font size 12, with double spacing at the start, and adhere strictly to other technical specifications.
According to the rules, entrants must be Tanzanian, submit unpublished and original works, and compete in only one category poetry, children’s stories, novels, or plays.
Submissions should demonstrate creativity and address relevant social themes.
Winners in each category will receive TSh 10 million for first place, with their book published, purchased by the government, and distributed to schools nationwide; TSh 7 million for second place, plus a certificate; and TSh 5 million for third place.
Prof. Mlama said the government’s investment in the awards reflects a broader commitment to nurturing a new generation of authors, strengthening Kiswahili, fostering a reading culture, expanding the book market, and increasing the supply of books nationwide.
Tanzania Institute of Education (TET) Director General, Dr. Aneth Komba, whose institution oversees the awards, said the initiative aligns with TET’s mandate to prepare learning and supplementary materials, including textbooks.
“This award is funded by the government, and this year marks its fourth edition,” she said. “We remain grateful to the Sixth-Phase Government for continuing to allocate resources to sustain this initiative.”
Dr. Komba added that the award’s objectives also include recognising and rewarding outstanding creative writers, promoting Kiswahili and the culture of reading, and enriching the country’s network of libraries from the National Library to regional, college, and school libraries.