FAQ's

Who initiated the Burt Award for African Literature?


The Burt Award for African literature is sponsored by CODE through the generous contributions of Canadian donor Mr. Bill Burt. In November 2007, Mr.Burt joined a 10-day CODE-led tour to Africa. On the tour Mr. Burt was moved by the nation’s passion for education, but frustrated by the lack of quality, engaging books for youth – books that would carry children from primary to secondary school and help them develop a love of learning for life.  One night, about half way through the trip, Mr.Burt awoke and scribbled an idea down on a napkin. When he returned to Canada, he generously wrote CODE a cheque for $1,000,000, and asked if the organization would use the funds to develop an African Literature Award.

What are the objectives of the Award?


There are a number of objectives for the Award, all of which support CODE’s goals to foster literacy, quality reading materials and the love of reading. Specific objectives include:

  • To recognize excellence in young adult fiction
  • To support and motivate the development of supplementary reading materials for a critical stage of learning – the transition period between mother tongue and English medium instruction.
  • To strengthen the English language skills of youth and help foster enthusiasm and love for reading.
  • To stimulate and support the African publishing industry and the development of African literature.
  • To increase the stock of English readers in established school libraries and other libraries.

What was the motivation behind the choice of English as the language for the competition?


The award was initiated to support and motivate the development of supplementary reading materials for a critical stage of learning - the transition period between Kiswahili and English medium instruction. In Tanzania this is especially relevant as the language of instruction changes to English after primary school.

Since the year 2000, Tanzania has made remarkable progress in the development of basic education, increasing primary school enrolment by nearly 40 percent (from 58.8% in 2000 to 97.3% in 2007). Further, the number of children entering secondary school has more than tripled (from 21.7% in 2000 to 67.5% in 2006). However, students’ inability to effectively speak, understand and read in English can severely impede their ability to learn. Efforts to overcome this particular challenge are supported by the Burt Award for African Literature.

What is the process to select the winning titles?


Six professionals will be involved in judging the submissions.  Among them are four Tanzanians, one Ugandan and one Canadian.  They were carefully selected by virtue of their knowledge and expertise in literature, linguistics, publishing and writing.  After the closing date for submissions, the panelists will review the manuscripts on an individual basis and will meet for a week-long deliberation process to shortlist titles and ultimately select the winners. 

Why was Tanzania selected to launch the Award?


CODE has a long-standing and strong partnership with Tanzania’s Children’s Book Project, an organization that has won numerous awards, including a UNESCO International Literacy Award for its work in local language publishing.

Further, Tanzania has a number of established publishers and a growing publishing industry. There is a relatively large pool of talented writers in the country, and a clear need for relevant and appropriate reading materials to be available for youth to build and reinforce their literacy skills, and foster interest in reading. 

As one Tanzanian author stated: 
“The Burt Award is long awaited.  It came at the time when most English novel writers have despaired and have stopped writing because our books don’t sell.  Now that we have an impetus to write, we will write.  Thank you very much CBP, CODE, Mr. Bill Burt and the government of Canada.”   - Dr Martha Mvungi

What will winning authors receive?  What about publishers?


Writers win monetary awards of $12,000 for gold, $6,000 for silver and $3,000 for bronze (USD), while publishers receive a guaranteed purchase, which means that funds from the Award will go to purchasing approximately 5,000 copies of each title. It is expected that publishers will print additional copies to market and sell commercially.

Who will receive the titles?


CODE’s partner, the Children’s Book Project (CBP) is coordinating the Award in Tanzania.  CBP will distribute the titles to more than 1,000 schools and community libraries throughout the country. The Children’s Book Project will facilitate the use of these materials in schools and the greater community through such activities as the initiation of radio and live dramatizations of the titles and essay-writing contests. 

Will the titles be available in Canada?


Yes.  CODE plans to sell copies of the winning titles from the respective publishers to support our ongoing fundraising initiatives and to expand the readership of high-quality African literature for youth in Canada. More information will be available on our website once the titles have been chosen.

Finally, how does one submit a manuscript?


For details and specific guidelines about manuscript submissions, please contact the Children’s Book Project in Tanzania  at PO Box 78245 Dar es Salaam, Tanzania or by e-mail at cbp@raha.com.