Zambian writer Mbozi Haimbe has been announced winner of the 2019 Commonwealth Short Story Prize for African region.

She won the prize for her short story ‘Madam’s Sister’. She is the second Zambian to receive a Commonwealth Prize, after Ellen Banda-Aaku in 2007 for “Sozi’s Box” in the now defunct Commonwealth Short Story Competition.

The Commonwealth Short Story Prize is awarded annually for the best piece of unpublished short fiction and open to all citizens in the Commonwealth nations.

The shortlist for the Africa region announced on April 10 included Mbozi Haimbe, Alex Latimer, Irene Muchemi-Ndiritu, Adorah Nworah, and Erica Sugo Anyadike.

Hiambe like each of the other regional winners goes home with £2,500 and is in the running to win the global prize that is £5,000.

In her winning story, the arrival of madam’s sister from London causes upheaval within the household but has an unexpected bonus for the guard, Cephas.

Haimbe said winning the prize validates her aspiration.

“I am absolutely thrilled to have been selected as the regional winner and feel privileged to contribute to Africa’s literary landscape. Although a social worker by profession, I have always considered myself a writer.

“Winning the regional prize validates my aspiration. I thank the judges, and give acknowledgment to Zambia, which remains deeply influential to my writing.”

Born and raised in Lusaka, Zambia, Mbozi Haimbe completed an MSt in Creative Writing at the University of Cambridge in 2018 and is currently working on a collection of African inspired short stories.