By Charles Mkoka
Tanzania Institute of Education (TET) have launched a new collection of books written by winners of the National Mwalimu Nyerere Creative Writing Award, in a move aimed at strengthening the country’s literary sector and promoting a culture of reading.
The ceremony, held in Dar es Salaam, was organized by the Tanzania Institute of Education (TIE) and brought together government officials, publishers, students and literary stakeholders from across the country and abroad.
Speaking at the event, TIE Director General Dr. Aneth Komba said the newly launched titles include novels, poetry collections and children’s literature.
She noted that the printing tender for this year was awarded competitively to African Proper Education Network, while last year’s contract was secured by Mkuki na Nyota Publishers.
The event was officiated by Education, Science and Technology Minister Prof. Adolf Mkenda, who described the initiative as part of broader efforts to institutionalize creative writing and integrate locally authored books into Tanzania’s education system.
According to the organizing committee chaired by Professor Penina Mrama, the awards aim to nurture literary talent, strengthen the Swahili language, encourage independent reading and stimulate growth in the publishing industry, while also expanding collections in national libraries, universities and schools.
A total of 1,031 writers competed for the 2024/25 edition of the prize, including participants from mainland Tanzania, Zanzibar and members of the diaspora in Austria, Czechoslovakia and Germany. Women accounted for 33.3 percent of entrants.
Prize winners received 10 million Tanzanian shillings ($4,000) for first place, 7 million shillings for second and 5 million shillings for third. In addition to the cash awards, winning books are approved for use within the national education framework, including school curricula and supplementary reading lists.
One of the winners, Laura Kissakwa, who is hearing impaired and authored the novel Garasa, said the award offers recognition and validation for writers, particularly those facing barriers in the creative industry.
Minister Mkenda said the award honours the legacy of Tanzania’s founding president Julius Nyerere, widely respected for his literary contributions and translations of major works into Swahili. He also thanked President Samia Suluhu Hassan for supporting the programme and ensuring that books produced since the award’s establishment in 2022/23 are incorporated into the national curriculum.
The formal prize-giving ceremony for the 2025/26 edition is scheduled to take place on April 13 at the Superdome in Masaki, Dar es Salaam, with organizers confirming that preparations for the 2026/27 competition will begin immediately after this year’s awards conclude.