A ZIMBABWEAN writer has been named in the Queen of England’s New Year Honours List.
Ellah Wakatama Allfrey will receive an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) from the Queen for services to the publishing industry.
Ellah, the daughter of journalist Pius Wakatama, is currently the deputy editor of Granta Magazine, one of the foremost literary magazines in the United Kingdom.
She has edited some of the best known names in British literature including Julian Barnes, Ian McEwan and Bettany Hughes.
As well as her main job as an editor, she is on the board of the Writers’ Centre Norwich and has made several contributions to the work of the British Council in different parts of the world.
Credited with bringing a number of young African writers to a wider international audience, including Dinai Mengistu, Biyi Bandele, Helon Habila and Zimbabwe’s Brian Chikwava, author of Harare North, Ellah has helped organise literary festivals in Kenya, Nigeria and Zimbabwe.
Individuals who have played a distinguished role in any field in their UK region or county and whose achievements are recognised nationally can be considered for an OBE.