Tawanda Mulalu's poetry collection, "Please Make Me Pretty, I Don't Want to Die: Poems," has been announced as the winner of the prestigious Glenna Luschei Prize for African Poetry 2023.
The award, named in honour of poet, publisher, editor, and philanthropist Glenna Luschei, is administered by the African Poetry Book Fund and recognizes outstanding works by African poets. Mulalu's collection, published by Princeton University Press, stood out among the finalists selected by judge John Keene, a MacArthur Fellow and esteemed writer, translator, and professor.
In his assessment of Mulalu's work, Keene praised the collection for its poignant exploration of contemporary realities faced by diasporic Black Africans in White spaces across America. Mulalu's poems, characterized by deadpan irony, humor, and a rich tapestry of literary and musical references, offer a unique perspective on personal and public events.
In his assessment of Mulalu's work, Keene praised the collection for its poignant exploration of contemporary realities faced by diasporic Black Africans in White spaces across America. Mulalu's poems, characterized by deadpan irony, humor, and a rich tapestry of literary and musical references, offer a unique perspective on personal and public events.
From reflections on isolation and exile to poignant responses to societal issues like police violence, Mulalu's poetry navigates a wide range of themes with depth and originality.
Mulalu, originally from Gaborone, Botswana, expressed gratitude for the recognition, emphasizing his love for the people and poetry of the continent. The poet's debut collection has garnered critical acclaim, being hailed as the best poetry book of 2022 by esteemed publications such as The Boston Globe, The New York Times, and The Washington Post.
As the recipient of the Glenna Luschei Prize for African Poetry, Mulalu will receive a cash prize of US$1,000.
Mulalu, originally from Gaborone, Botswana, expressed gratitude for the recognition, emphasizing his love for the people and poetry of the continent. The poet's debut collection has garnered critical acclaim, being hailed as the best poetry book of 2022 by esteemed publications such as The Boston Globe, The New York Times, and The Washington Post.
As the recipient of the Glenna Luschei Prize for African Poetry, Mulalu will receive a cash prize of US$1,000.
