A story about camaraderie and brotherliness among students in a hostel in a university — from Aliyu Yakubu — It was well past ten o’clock on a Tuesday night. The rain that had prevented many people from going about their activities had suddenly stopped. One of the provisions stores outside the hostel was still open. “Maybe Phillip is going to sleep in the shop today,” Aliyu thought as he…

An essay on love, the loss of it and the ensuing grief — from Oluwatosin Babatunde-Olotu — I It is true that grieving isn’t always a linear process — that sometimes, it assumes the haphazard motion of a butterfly. This minute, you think you’re fine — next minute, you’re bawling your eyes out on the jubilee line bound for greater London. The woman who stretched tissue paper…

A story about police abuse of power — by Jimoh Micheal — It was a sunny afternoon. Itopa and his friend, Utom, sat on the bed in their flat. Itopa watched Utom sympathetically. Utom’s face was bruised and reddened — his fair complexion made the bruises even more prominent. His face was also swollen, and on one cheek, the fingers of the…

Three poems are about survival, hope and healing — from Blessing Omeiza Ojo — A Manual for Survival in a Lonely Room after reading James Joyce What do you get when a firefly is starved of luciferin? You have darkness as feedback, the kind my nation nurtures as vote of thanks for the inked thumbs. Here, everyone dreams; everyone wants to say a word and be heard in places beyond heaven. But…

What if suicide is an act of protest? — a story from Philip Ochola — Beni sat patiently alongside the others. Waiting and listening to the gears of the wall clock turn, tick-tock, tick-tock. Its eyes watching over them. At the most vulnerable hour, just between the retiring night and forthcoming morning, they had a guest over. As children they often were often told stories…

Two poems that lend their voice in solidarity to those in despair — from Blessing Ejete — Silence Can Speak Now It didn’t become easy because they stopped talking about it Their lips just got used to the silence But silence should be told to speak up We should be patient for it’s voice to reach our ear We should strain to hear what it has to say admist the fear We should tell it welcome We…

The fantastic winning story for the Share Africa Climate Fiction Award 2022—from Motswana Miranda B. Joubert — Hello. Let me ask you a question. If you could see your death coming, staring at you straight in the eyes, what would you do? You would probably run, scream, or freeze like a deer in the headlights. That’s what adrenaline does. But what if you couldn’t run, couldn’t scream…

The brilliant second-place story for the Share Africa Climate Fiction Award — from Motswana Thuto Vanessa Seabe — Kathiku made her way down the plot towards the riverside. Sadly, she took in the devastating sight of burnt crops and the remains of sprouting ones that had withered due to lack of water. Rain was never going to come and if it did it would be too late. …

The amazing third place story from the Share Africa Climate Fiction Award from Kenyan Alexander Nderitu — “Wangari, you are another one!” Mrs. Miti said, watching her friend and mentor load more tree seedlings to the roof-top carrier of a small white jeep. Prof. Wangari Maathai, a dreadlocked middle-aged woman in a flowery kitenge¹ dress and matching headwrap, cocked her head towards her colleague in the Green…