By Desmond Nleya
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates — Internationally acclaimed Zimbabwean author and filmmaker Tsitsi Dangarembga has been honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the ongoing Sharjah Festival of African Literature (SFAL 26) , a landmark celebration of African storytelling currently underway in the United Arab Emirates.
The four-day festival, which opened on Thursday and concludes on Sunday, 18 January 2026, has drawn thousands of visitors, including writers, publishers, cultural exhibitors, academics and literary enthusiasts from across Africa and the diaspora. Dangarembwa’s recognition stands out as one of the most significant highlights of the event.
Widely regarded as one of Africa’s most influential literary voices, Dangarembga is best known for her seminal works Nervous Conditions, The Book of Not, and This Mournable Body. Her writing, celebrated for its eloquence, depth and feminist insight, has played a critical role in shaping contemporary African literature on the global stage.
Speaking to Daily Times Online TV after receiving the award, Dangarembga expressed deep appreciation for the honour, describing it as both humbling and motivating.
“This award is not just a personal recognition,” she said. “It affirms that African stories matter and that our narratives are being recognised beyond our borders. Festivals like this are crucial for preserving culture and ensuring African voices continue to be heard globally.”
She further emphasised the importance of platforms such as the Sharjah Festival of African Literature in promoting African creativity, marketing African literature to international audiences, and safeguarding the continent’s rich cultural heritage for future generations.
The festival also attracted high-profile dignitaries, including South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Mr Gayton McKenzie, who praised the United Arab Emirates for creating a world-class platform for African writers, artists and intellectuals.
Addressing the audience at the opening ceremony, Minister McKenzie highlighted the significance of African creatives being showcased on equal footing with their global counterparts.
“This platform places Africa at par with other regions of the world,” he said. “It rejects the notion that Africans are second-class citizens in global cultural spaces.”
McKenzie also challenged common perceptions about the UAE’s development, noting that the country’s progress is driven not only by oil wealth but by openness, hospitality and inclusivity.
“It is often said that this infrastructure is because of oil money,” he remarked. “But let me tell you where it is actually coming from — it is coming from the UAE’s openness to people, its hospitality, and its willingness to welcome the world.”
The festival also featured a strong Emirati presence, with a guest list that included Dr Sultan Al Amimi, Ameera Bukdra, Fahad Al Memari, Ali Al Shaali, Shaikha Al Mutairi, Dr Afra Atiq, Maitha Al Khayat, Nadia Al Najjar, and Nasser Al Dhahri. The Emirati writers and cultural figures participated in joint panel discussions and cultural exchanges with African authors, fostering dialogue across literary traditions and shared histories.
SFAL 2026 also hosted a distinguished group of African literary figures, among them British poet, writer and playwright of Ethiopian heritage Lemn Sissay; Tanzanian children’s and young adult literature specialist Nahida Ismail; Tanzanian writer and cultural activist Richard Mabala; Rwandan author Scholastique Mukasonga; Nigerian novelist Sefi Atta; Zimbabwean writer and researcher Sifiso Gloria Ndlovu; Nigerian writer and linguist Kola Tubosun; Ugandan writer and filmmaker Dilman Dila; Ugandan author Beatrice Lamwaka; and acclaimed Ugandan novelist Goretti Kyomuhendo.
