South African writer Nadia Davids won the £10,000 (about $13,395) Caine Prize for African Writing for her short story, "Bridling," which was first published in The Georgia Review in 2023. This year's competition witnessed a record-breaking number of submissions, with 320 entries from 28 African countries.
Chair of judges Chika Unigwe said: " 'Bridling' is an impressive achievement, a triumph of language, storytelling and risk-taking while maintaining a tightly controlled narrative about women who rebel. It embodies the spirit of the Caine Prize, which is to celebrate the richness and diversity of short stories by African writers. That is to say, to challenge the single story of African literature."
In addition to the cash prize, the winner's work will be featured in the 2024 Caine Prize Anthology, Midnight in the Morgue and Other Stories (Cassava Republic Press). Runners-up Tryphena Yeboah, Samuel Kolawole, Uche Okonkwo, and Pemi Aguda receive £500 (about $670) and will be included in the anthology.