Writing for Kiswahili language revolution

What you need to know:

‘Danger! Do not cross’ it said in English. He raises his eyebrows and asks with a bitter smile:

“What will they do if people don’t understand and get hurt?” he asks. “Road signs say ‘Diversion’ in English and not in Swahili. Why not in Swahili? We are a S

Enock Maregesi won second prize in Mabati-Cornell Kiswahili Prize for African Literature in November last year for his Swahili novel Kolonia Santita. He has always written in Swahili and he considers himself “a fighter” for his language. His debut novel Kolonia Santita is a crime fiction about a global drug cartel and is situated in a global sphere from Mexico to Paris, Mumbai, Cape Town and beyond. The title Kolonia Santita is the “Swahililised” Mexican name of the powerful drug cartel. He drafted the novel in 1992 aged 20, but it was not until 2012 that he published it after 18 years of additional research. In the years between he went to London and Manchester to study Networking and Creative Writing, and obtained a degree in Business Studies from the University of Wales in 2011.

Writing for Kiswahili language revolution

What you need to know:

Latest

EAC trade surges 37pc to $52.3bn as mineral exports drive growth

Tanzania steps up checks on weighing and measuring equipment to protect consumers

Samia to grace Great Lakes women parliamentarians’ conference

SGR passengers to get free heart screening worth Sh500,000

JKT puts digital patriotism at the heart of youth training

Sh4 billion wildlife management area gets new leadership in Manyara

In the headlines

EAC trade surges 37pc to $52.3bn as mineral exports drive growth

Ride-hailing safety gap exposed as drivers bypass crucial checks

British Airways returns to Tanzania with direct flights to Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar

Rostam Azizi challenges governments to earn investor confidence

What you need to know:

From Aiyola to Konde Boy: Harmonize’s decade-long journey in music

Dar: A city best explored on foot

EAC trade surges 37pc to $52.3bn as mineral exports drive growth

Tanzania steps up checks on weighing and measuring equipment to protect consumers

Samia to grace Great Lakes women parliamentarians’ conference

SGR passengers to get free heart screening worth Sh500,000

JKT puts digital patriotism at the heart of youth training

Sh4 billion wildlife management area gets new leadership in Manyara

EAC trade surges 37pc to $52.3bn as mineral exports drive growth

Ride-hailing safety gap exposed as drivers bypass crucial checks

British Airways returns to Tanzania with direct flights to Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar

Rostam Azizi challenges governments to earn investor confidence