Jarred Thompson, author of UJ Debut Prize winner, The Institute of Creative Dying. (Supplied/Thango Ntwasa)
- The University of Johannesburg has announced the winners of its annual UJ Prize, with Morabo Morojele winning the main prize for his novel Three Egg Dilemma.
- Jarred Thompson won the debut prize for his novel The Institute for Creative Dying, praised for its originality and craftsmanship.
- The main prize winner will receive R75 000, while the debut prize winner will be awarded R45 000.
The University of Johannesburg has announced the winners of its annual UJ Prize for a South African work (usually fiction) and a debut award. Morabo Morojele won the main UJ Prize for his novel Three Egg Dilemma (published by Jacana), and Jarred Thompson won the debut prize for The Institute for Creative Dying (published by Pan Macmillan).
The debut prize winner, Jarred Thompson’s The Institute for Creative Dying, was described by Professor Ronit Frenkel, head of the English Department and chair of the judging panel, as an “extraordinarily original and beautifully crafted novel that heralds the emergence of a new literary star in South Africa.”
Asked to comment about what makes the novel outstanding, Frenkel said: “The novel centres on five people as they navigate the idea of how to ‘die delightfully’ while exploring the limits of how they have lived. Thompson investigates big metaphysical questions, along with what he calls the ‘crisis of the ordinary,’ through these vastly different characters. The book is interspersed with moments of joy, beauty and insight while the characters seek meaning in a difficult world. Issues around mortality and the interconnectedness of everything frame the narrative in profound ways that force the reader to ponder the very same questions when the ending is already known – that, inevitably, we will all die.”
Dr Thabo Tšehloane, one of the judges, said of the winning title: “Morabo Morojele’s Three Egg Dilemma is a witty, thought-provoking novel that blends humour with social critique. The novel masterfully navigates the complex dilemmas of modern life, grappling with tensions between tradition and identity. Morojele skilfully captures the clash between personal aspirations and societal expectations, using wit and keen observation to explore the complexities of living in a rapidly changing world.”
Three Egg Dilemma highlights the universal struggle of forging an identity in a world that is constantly shifting. Morojele’s humour and insight make the novel both accessible and profound, offering a meaningful exploration of the challenges facing contemporary African society. With its vibrant characters and satirical tone, Three Egg Dilemma offers readers a fresh and engaging perspective on contemporary African life.
The main prize winner will receive R75 000, while the debut prize winner will be awarded R45 000. All the top three nominees in the respective categories will receive certificates of recognition. The prizes will be presented at a ceremony at the University of Johannesburg on 10 October 2024.
The announcement of the winners follows a rigorous adjudication process in which seven judges from three universities evaluated a wide array of books published in 2023. This year’s adjudication panel was comprised of Prof Ronit Frenkel (Chair), University of Johannesburg; Prof Sikhumbuzo Mngadi, University of Johannesburg; Prof Marzia Milazzo, University of Johannesburg; Dr Veronica Fasselt, University of Pretoria; Dr Thabo Tšehloane, University of Johannesburg; Prof Grace Musila, University of the Witwatersrand and Prof Nedine Moonsamy, University of Johannesburg.
Information supplied by UJ.
