ZIMBABWEAN author Petina Gappah will receive this year’s prestigious Flora Nwapa Literary Society Award.
She becomes the second Zimbabwean author after Tsitsi Dangarembga to clinch the gong that celebrates renowned figures who have played a role in shaping literature, African and gender studies.
Writing on microblogging site X, Gappah said she was thrilled to be the recipient of the award, joining a list including Toni Morrison, the Nobel Prize-winning American author.
“I’m thrilled to be the 2026 recipient of the Flora Nwapa Literary Society Award. I’m honoured to be given an award that honours the first African woman ever published.
“I’m also stoked beyond belief as the award was also given to one of my household goddesses, Toni Morrison,” said Gappah.
The Flora Nwapa Society is an organisation that aims to promote and celebrate the ideals of Nwapa in African literature.
“This award comes at an important moment for me as a writer. I see it as affirmation.
“I thank Dr. Umeh and the Flora Nwapa Society. Unfortunately, I can’t be in Knoxville, Tennessee to receive it in person,” said Gappah.
