South African writer, filmmaker and photographer Lidudumalingani Mqombothi has won the 17th edition of prestigious Caine Prize 2016 for his short story “Memories We Lost”. With this, Lidudumalingani was awarded 10000 Euros and a month at Georgetown University in the US as a writer-in-residence. He will also be invited to speak at the Library of Congress and receive invitations to take part in Cape Town’s Open Book Festival, Nairobi’s Storymoja and Nigeria’s Ake Festival.

The story explores mental health through the relationship of two sisters in a South African village,– one of whom is schizophrenic and the other her protector. The sister’s situation deteriorates as her care is entrusted to Nkunzi, a local man who employs traditional techniques to rid people of their demons. This year’s panel of judges consisted of  Delia Jarrett-Macauley, Adjoa Andoh, Muthoni Garland, Robert J. Patterson and Mary Watson.

About Caine Prize

• The Caine Prize is awarded annually to an African writer of a short story published in English.
• It was established in 2010 in the United Kingdom and was named in memory of Sir Michael Harris Caine, former Chairman of Booker Group plc.
• The award carrying 10000 Euros prize seeks to encourage and highlight the richness and diversity of African writing by bringing it to a wider audience internationally.