Coconut by Kopano Matlwa wins third annual European Union Literary Award

The third annual European Union Literary Award for a South African best first novel was held at the Goethe-Institut on March 15. The winner, Kopano Matlwa, a 21-year-old medical student at the University of Cape Town, won with her first novel Coconut.

As winner, Kopano receives R25 000; a publishing contract with Jacana Media; an opportunity for international promotion through attending the Frankfurt International Book Fair; and her book Coconut will form part of the Exclusive Books Homebru promotion. Kopano will attend the Cape Town International Book Fair in June this year.

An exciting young voice has emerged that reflects the idiosyncratic nature of our young democracy. Coconut is a story that deals with growing up as a black child in a white world. It is the story of black youth who grow up in white neighbourhoods, go to private schools and have white friends. As is the case with any child, all that these children want is to grow, to be loved; but most importantly, to fit in. Fitting in, however, comes at the cost of one’s blackness - too white for black, and too black for white.

This year's jury - Fred Khumalo, Prof Bheki Peterson and Darryl Accone - were asked to read 42 novels. To ensure fairness, authors’ identities were kept from the jury. Kopano’s novel was a unanimous choice.

The jury gave this citation:

“Narrated from a teenager’s perspective, Kopano Matlwa’s Coconut is an audacious, lyrical and compassionate tale. It explores the grey, in-between, intimate experiences and dilemmas of a young girl who, like the society around her, is undergoing changes that call old boundaries, comforts and certitudes into question.”

The runners-up included:

Carey-Ann Jackson for Gorgon
Hazel Frankel for Counting Sleeping Beauties
Ian Campbell-Gillies for Hopetown
Ruben Mowszowski for Time of Bees