Announcement of the UJ Prize Shortlists (Debut Prize and Main Prize) for Works Published in 2022
The University of Johannesburg Prize (UJ Prize) for South African Writing is delighted to announce the shortlist for books published in 2022. The UJ Prize opened for submissions on 25 October 2022 and closed on 31 January 2023.
We received a record number of entries this year, and a panel comprised of seven judges considered the submissions. Following a rigorous adjudication process, the judges have shortlisted the following books in the respective categories:
Debut Prize
- Boy on the Run (novel) by Welcome Mandla Lishivha
- The Other Me (novel) by Joy Watson
- Things My Mother Left Me (novel) by Pulane Mpondo
Main Prize
- An Angel’s Demise (novel) by Sue Nyathi
- Greyheart (poetry) by Lesego Rampolokeng
- How to be a Revolutionary (novel) by C.A. Davids
The panel of judges drawn from three different universities around South Africa, selected these six titles out of more than 100 entries. “The overwhelming response to the prize is indicative of the growth and diversity of South African writing,” said Professor Ronit Frenkel, Chairperson of judges and Head of the English Department at the University of Johannesburg.
The final results will be announced on 14 September 2023.
Congratulations, Joy, and all other shortlisted writers!
karavanpress.com 
Dear Joy
Congratulations on being shortlisted for the UJ prize, which is unsurprising.
I read The Other Me in one sitting. I opened the first page, meaning to read a few pages with my morning tea and ended up reading the entire book in one day. The story gripped me to the end.
Well done! This is richly deserved.
With warm wishes
Joline
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