This is a list of prominent and notable writers from Africa . It includes poets , novelists , children's writers , essayists , and scholars , listed by country.
Main article: List of Cape Verdean writers
Salma Khalil Alio (1982–), poet, short story writer and artist.Khayar Oumar Deffalah (c. 1944–), politician and autobiographical writer[3]
Ali Abdel-Rhamane Haggar (1960–), economist and writer[4]
Marie-Christine Koundja (1957–), novelist and diplomatKoulsy Lamko (1959–), playwright, poet, novelist and university lecturerJoseph Brahim Seid (1927–1980), writer and politician[Jahn] Ahmat Taboye , literary critic
Jean-Baptiste Abessolo (1932–), educator and short story writerPeggy Lucie Auleley, born French-language poet[9]
Bessora (1968–, in Belgium ), novelist and short story writer[Gikandi] Charline Effah (1977–), French-language novelist and educator[10] Rene Maran , born near Martinique (1887–1960), poet and novelistChantal Magalie Mbazoo-Kassa , French-language poet and novelist[11] Justine Mintsa (1967–), French-language novelist[12] Nadège Noëlle Ango Obiang (1973–), French-language short story writer[13] Nadia Origo (1977–), novelist and publisherHonorine Ngou (1957–), novelist and academicVincent de Paul Nyonda (1918–1995), playwrightMaurice Okoumba-Nkoghe (1954–), poet and teacher[Gikandi]
Laurent Owondo (1948–), playwright[Gikandi]
Angèle Ntyugwetondo Rawiri (1954–2010), novelist[Gikandi]
David Cranmer Theko Bereng (1900–1974), Sotho poet[Jahn]
Caroline Ntseliseng Khaketla (1918–2012)[15] [Jahn] Simon Majara (1924–), Sotho novelist[Jahn]
Zakea D. Mangoaela (1883–1963), folklorist[Jahn]
Thomas Mofolo (1876–1948), novelist[Jahn] A. S. Mopeli-Paulus (1913–1960), novelistEdward Motsamai (1870–1959), politician and writer[Jahn]
Kem Edward Ntsane (1920–), Sotho poet and novelist[Jahn]
Basildon Peta (1972–), journalistEveritt Lechesa Segoete (1858–1923), religious and social writer[Jahn]
Azariele M. Sekese (1849–1930), Basotho author and historian[Jahn]
Joseph I. F. Tjokosela (c.1911–), Catholic writer and teacher[Jahn]
Edwin Barclay (1882–1955), politician and writerThomas E. Besolow (c.1867–?), autobiographical writer[Jahn]
Edward Wilmot Blyden (1832–1912), born in the Virgin Islands (see also Sierra Leone ), educator, writer, diplomat and politicianRoland Tombekai Dempster (1910–1965), poet[Jahn] Hawa Jande Golakai (1979–)Bai T. Moore (1916–1988), poet, novelist, folklorist and essayist[Jahn] [Killam & Rowe] Wilton G. S. Sankawulo (1937–2009), politician and authorVamba Sherif (1973–)
Tito Banda (1950–2014), novelist, academic[18]
Ezra Jofiya Chadza (1923–1985), poet and novelistWilliam Chafulumira (1908–1981), writer on social issues[19] [20]
Lula Pensulo (b. 1991) author, translator, and poet[21]
Yesaya Chibambo, author of A Short History of the Ngoni (1933), translated into English by Rev. Charles Stuart.[22]
Shadreck Chikoti (b. 1979), writer and social activistSteve Chimombo (1945–2015), writer, poet, editor and teacher[23] Frank Chipasula (b. 1949), poet, writer, editor, publisher and academic[23] Reuben Chirambo (d. 2011), scholar of African literature[24]
Robert Chiwamba, poet[25]
Tobias Dossi, author of a novel (1958) and humorous short stories (1965) in Chichewa.[26]
Aloysius Dziko, author of a novel in Chichewa (1965).[26]
Walije Gondwe (b. 1936), Malawi's first female novelist[27] John Gwengwe, author of novels in Chichewa (1965, 1968).[26]
Aubrey Kachingwe (b. 1926), novelist and short story writer[23] [20] Lawrence Kadzitche, short story writer[28]
Samson Kambalu (b. 1975), artist and autobiographerWilliam Kamkwamba (b. 1987), inventor and authorGertrude Webster Kamkwatira (1966–2006), playwrightWhyghtone Kamthunzi (1956–2000), novelist in ChichewaLegson Kayira (1942–2012), novelist and autobiographer[23] [20] Stanley Onjezani Kenani (b. 1976), writer and poetKen Lipenga (b. 1954), politician, journalist and writer[23] John Lwanda (b. 1949), biographer, poet, doctor, publisherQabaniso Malewezi (b. 1979), spoken-word poet[29] Benedicto Wokomaatani Malunga (b. 1962), poet and broadcaster[30] Jack Mapanje (b. 1944), writer and poet[23] Emily Mkamanga (b. 1949), novelist and social commentatorFelix Mnthali (b. 1933), poet, novelist and playwright[23] Francis Moto (b. 1952), writer, academic, and diplomatSam Mpasu (b. 1945), novelist and politician; author of prison memoirsEdison Mpina (1946–2001), poet[23]
Ndongolera Mwangupili (b. 1977), poet and short story writerGeorge Mwase (c.1885–1962), author of a historical account of the 1915 rebellion, published 1967 (2nd ed. 1970).[31]
Anthony Nazombe (1955–2004), poet and academic[23]
Innocent Masina Nkhonyo (b. 1987), short story writer and poetJolly Max Ntaba (1946–1993), novelist in Chichewa and English[32]
Samuel Josia Ntara or Nthara (1905–1979), novelist and historian[20] [33] [34] D.D. Phiri (Desmond Dudwa Phiri) , economist, historian and playwright[20] Bonwell Kadyankena Rodgers (b. 1991), author, translator and editor[35]
David Rubadiri (1930–2018), diplomat, academic and poet[23] [20] Paul Tiyambe Zeleza (b. 1955), historian, critic and writerBarnaba Zingani (b. 1958), novelist in Chichewa and English, teacher.Willie Zingani (b. 1954), novelist in English and Chichewa, journalist, poet, playwright[36] Tendai M Shaba (b. 1989), author, writer and poet[37] See: List of Malawian writers
Abdi Sheik Abdi (1942–), U.S.-based writerMohamed Diriye Abdullahi , linguist and translatorMaxamed Daahir Afrax , novelist, playwright and criticElmi Boodhari (1908–1940), poetAyaan Hirsi Ali (1969–), feminist and anti-Islam activistAhmed Ibrahim Artan , diplomat, author and politicianJaamac Cumar Ciise (c.1922–2014), historian of Somali oral literatureWaris Dirie (1965–), model and autobiographical writerSalaan Carrabey (1864–1943), poetCristina Ali Farah (1973–), poet and novelistFarah Nur (1862–1932), poet and warriorHussein Hasan (d. 1910s), warrior and poetNuruddin Farah (1945–), novelist[Killam & Rowe] Hadrawi (1943–), poetYaasiin Cismaan Keenadiid (1919–1988), literary scholarAbdi Kusow , scholar and writerAbdillahi Suldaan Mohammed Timacade (1920–1973), poetNadifa Mohamed (1981–), novelistGaariye (d. 2012), poetMohamed Haji Mukhtar (1947–), historian and scholarRageh Omaar (1967–), journalistAbdi Ismail Samatar (1950–), geographerAhmed Ismail Samatar (1950–), writer and academicSaid S. Samatar (1943–), scholar and writerCali Xuseen Xirsi (1946–2005), poetShadya Yasin (1983/4–), poet
Ellen Banda-Aaku (1965–), fiction, children's booksJack Avon (1967–), non-fiction, business books
Kenneth Kaunda (1924–2021), nationalist and writer[Gikandi] Chibamba Kanyama (1965–), journalist and business writer[44] Andreya Sylvester Masiye (1922–), diplomat and novelist[45]
Dominic Mulaisho (1933–2014), novelist[Gikandi] [Killam & Rowe] Charles Mwewa, poet and non-fiction writer[46]
Princess Zindaba Nyirenda , novelist[47]
Field Ruwe (1955–), educator, historian, media practitioner, author (fiction and non-fiction)Namwali Serpell (1980–), fictionMonde Sifuniso (1944–), editor, publisher, author (fiction and non-fiction)Binwell Sinyangwe (1956–)
^ "Batswapong history revealed" . Mmegi.bw. 2010-12-03. Retrieved 2011-11-11 .^ "Ketty Nivyabandi" , World Literature Today , March 2014.^ Acheikh ibn Oumar , Fiche de lecture de: "Fils de nomade, les mémoires du dromadaire" – Khayar Oumar Defallah Archived 2014-01-11 at the Wayback Machine , 11 February 2010.^ "1ère ÉDITION DES JOURNÉES TCHADIENNES AU SÉNÉGAL: Pour vivifier un héritage culturel" . Lematindafrique.com. Retrieved 2011-11-11 .^ "Mouna-Hodan Ahmed: An author from Djibouti writing in French" . Aflit.arts.uwa.edu.au. Retrieved 2011-11-11 .^ Charles Cantalupo, Reesom Haile's poetry Archived 2011-09-28 at the Wayback Machine
^ Jane Plastow, "Alemseged Tesfai: a playwright in the service of Eritrean liberation", in Banham et al, African theatre in development , 1999, pp. 54–60.
^ Bouchard, N; Ferme, V (2013). Italy and the Mediterranean: Words, Sounds, and Images of the Post-Cold War Era ISBN 978-1137343468 ^ "Peggy Lucie Auleley: lauréate du concours ACCT" . Aflit.arts.uwa.edu.au. 1999-06-03. Retrieved 2011-11-11 .^ Toman, Cheryl (2016). Women Writers of Gabon: Literature and Herstory ISBN 978-1498537216 ^ "Chantal Magalie Mbazoo-Kassa" . Aflit.arts.uwa.edu.au. Retrieved 2011-11-11 .^ "Justine Mintsa: An author from Gabon writing in French" . Aflit.arts.uwa.edu.au. Retrieved 2011-11-11 .^ "Nadège Noëlle Ango Obiang: An author from Gabon writing in French" . Aflit.arts.uwa.edu.au. 2003-09-19. Retrieved 2011-11-11 .^ Albert S. Gérard, European-Language Writing in Sub-Saharan Africa: Volume 1 , p. 286.
^ Margaret Busby (ed.), Daughters of Africa: An International Anthology of Words and Writings by Women of African Descent from the Ancient Egyptian to the Present ^ Suha Taji-Farouki, 'Sadiq Nayhum: An Introduction to the Life and Works of a Contemporary Libyan Intellectual', The Maghreb Review , 25:3–4 (2000), pp. 242 ff.
^ Benghazi-Born Poet Mattawa Reflects on Growing up Under Gadhafi , PBS Newshour , 2 March 2011.^ Nyasa Times obituary "Malawi writer, media trainer dies: Tito Banda | Malawi Nyasa Times – Malawi breaking news in Malawi" . Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 8 November 2015 .((cite web )): CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link )^ Dictionary of African Christian Biography.
^ a b c d e f Janheinz Jahn; Ulla Schild; Almut Nordmann Seiler (1972). Who's who in African Literature: Biographies, Works, Commentaries ISBN 978-3-7711-0153-4 ^ https://archive.org/details/@lula_pensulo ^ B. Pachai, "Samuel Josiah Ntara: Writer and Historian" The Society of Malawi Journal Vol. 21, No. 2 (July, 1968), pp. 60-66; page 60.
^ a b c d e f g h i j Killam, Douglas & Ruth Rowe, eds., The Companion to African Literatures . James Currey & Indiana University Press; 2000. ISBN 0-253-33633-3
^ Univ. of South Africa obituary ^ Malawi 24 news 6 Nov 2015 ^ a b c Chimombo, Steve, (1987) "Creative Writing in Malawi: A Bibliography" Research in African Literatures , Vol. 18, No. 3, Special Issue on the Concept of National Literature (Autumn, 1987), pp. 336-339
^ Lars Eckstein, ed., English Literatures Across the Globe: A Companion , p. 122-3.
^ "News story about Kadzitche's publications" . Archived from the original on 2021-07-25. Retrieved 2021-07-24 .^ Precious Kalolo, "Qabaniso ‘Q’ Malewezi reflects with ‘The Road Taken’" "Timve Magazine » Qabaniso 'Q' Malewezi reflects with 'The Road Taken' . Archived from the original on 10 November 2011. Retrieved 8 September 2014 .Timeve Magazine .
^ Alfred Msadala, "A look at Bededicto Wokomaatani Malunga", Destined for great things: papers , 1999, pp. 27–8.
^ Albert S. Gérard (1986), European-Language writing in Sub-Southern Africa , p. 962.
^ Profile in the Daily Nation April 4, 2014 ^ WorldCat identities ^ B. Pachai, "Samuel Josiah Ntara: Writer and Historian" The Society of Malawi Journal Vol. 21, No. 2 (July, 1968), pp. 60-66
^ Author of Miyambi ya Patsokwe (Chichewa proverbs) (2015) and Mpandamachokero (Malawian tales) (2015); editor of Chisimba cha Alakatuli (anthology of Chichewa poems) (2015).
^ "Willie Zingani: A Writer of All Ages" (Profile in the Daily Nation newspaper, April 18, 2014) .^ "Shaba revives poetry" . 17 July 2020.^ "Local author Neshani Andreas dead" . The Namibian . May 17, 2011.^ Sven Rosenow. "Die Biographie von Gilselher W. Hoffmann" . Afrikaroman.de. Retrieved November 11, 2011 . ^ "Palimage: Olinda Beja" . Palimage.pt. Archived from the original on 2011-07-25. Retrieved 2011-11-11 .^ Cavaleiro da Torre (2004-02-27). "Torre da História Ibérica: Admirável Mário Domingues" . Torredahistoriaiberica.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2011-11-11 . ^ Morreu a poetisa são-tomense Manuela Margarido Archived 2012-09-05 at the Wayback Machine , Publico , 11 March 2007.^ Hans M. Zell, Carol Bundy, Virginia Coulon, A New Reader's Guide to African Literature , 1983, p. 498.
^ Elias Munshya wa Munshya, Zambia: Chibamba Kanyama’s Controversy: A Review of “Business Values for our Time” , Lusaka Times 31 October 2010.
^ Albert S. Gérard, African Language Literatures: an introduction to the literary history of Sub-Saharan Africa , 1981, p. 227.
^ Eric Gondwe, Charles Mwewa , Zambian.com.
^ Zambian Economist review.
[Gikandi & Mwangi]
Simon Gikandi & Evan Mwangi, ed.,
The Columbia Guide to East African Literature in English Since 1945 . Columbia University Press; 2007.
ISBN 978-0-231-12520-8 [Jahn] Janheinz Jahn, Ulla Schild & Almut Nordmann Seiler, eds.,
Who's who in African Literature: Biographies, Works, Commentaries . Horst Erdmann Verlag, 1972.
ISBN 978-3-7711-0153-4
