Dinaane Debut Fiction Award

The Dinaane Debut Fiction Award – formerly the European Union Literary Award – is a South African literary award, open to South African and SADC writers who are residents of these countries. The manuscripts that are submitted must be a first, unpublished work of fiction in English, or translations of other South African languages into English providing the work has not been published in other languages. The word "dinaane" means "telling our stories together" in Setswana, says Jacana.

In 2015, the European Union Literary Award was renamed the Dinaane Debut Fiction Award. It is supported by various European Union embassies and commissions operating in South Africa. The winner is awarded a cash prize of R35 000.00 along with publication of their manuscript with Jacana Media. In honour of Gerald Kraak, who helped run Jacana Media until his death in 2014, the Kraak Writing Grant is also awarded. The grant is awarded to an entrant whose manuscript showed great promise and who would most benefit from a three-month mentorship with an industry-leading mentor. The Dinaane Debut Fiction Award was first given in 2004.

Winners

 * European Union Literary Award
 * 2004: Ishtiyaq Shukri, The Silent Minaret
 * 2005: Fred Khumalo, Bitches' Brew; and Gerald Kraak, Ice in the Lungs
 * 2006: [no award]
 * 2007: Kopano Matlwa, Coconut
 * 2008: Megan Voysey-Braig, Till We Can Keep an Animal
 * 2009: Zinaid Meeran, Saracen at the Gates
 * 2010: James Clelland, Deeper than Colour
 * 2011/12: Ashraf Kagee, Khalil's Journey
 * 2013: Penny Busetto, The Story of Anna P, as Told by Herself
 * 2014: Andrew Miller, Dub Steps


 * Dinaane Debut Fiction Award
 * 2015/2016: Tammy Baikie, Selling LipService
 * 2019: Mubanga Kalimamukwento, The Mourning Bird
 * 2020: Resoketswe Manenzhe, Scatterlings