The African continent prides itself with cultural diversity and authenticity, so it does not come as a surprise that the literature that has emerged from it is equally diverse and versatile.
With the rise of young people embracing their own heritage and feminism, we are seeing a surge of female interest in African literature, particularly female writers.
We have put to gather three strong writers who have broken international boundaries and placed African literature on a pedestal.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
A celebrated and renounced writer. The Nigerian-born author of three critically acclaimed novels that are a must read for any avid reader, Purple Hibiscus published in 2003, Half of a Yellow Sun in 2006, and Americanah in 2013.
She also celebrated for her short story collections, The Thing around Your Neck in 2009.
Chimamanda self-identifies as a feminist and has written and given speeches that are all for women empowerment including her celebrated TED talks.
She was also featured in Beyonce Knowles’ self-titled album, on the song Flawless.
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Panashe Chigumadzi
Is a 23-year-old award-winning novelist, who is interested in narratives of women. She is Zimbabwean by birth and grew up in South Africa.
Her debut novel Sweet Medicine published in 2016 won the 2016 K Sello Duiker Literary Award in South Africa, whilst her short story “Small Deaths” was nominated for the 2016 Pushcart Literary Prize in theUnited States of America.
She is the founding editor of the Vanguard Magazine, a platform for young black women coming of age in post-apartheid South Africa.
She has been involved in the Fees Must Fall movement and she was one of 2016’s #Mzansi100
Ama Ata Aidoo
Aidoo is a celebrated Ghanaian author with celebrated work, poetry and plays.
Her published books include Changes: A Love Story, Our Sister Kill Joy and The Girl Who Can and Other Stories.
Her work tends to focus on gender issues in West Africa and colonialism.
She prides herself on the ability to mix humour and hope with serious issues of gender and social conflict.
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