Cassava Republic Press has been awarded the 2024 CANEX Prize for Publishing during the CANEX WKND event in Algiers, Algeria. The accolade was given for the publication of Female Fear Factory, a powerful novel by South African feminist scholar Pumla Dineo Gqola. The book delves into how fear is systematically used to control women’s bodies worldwide.
Female Fear Factory, written by Gqola, a scholar at Nelson Mandela University in South Africa, dissects patriarchal violence, exposing the mechanisms through which fear is weaponised against women. Drawing on examples from countries like Uganda, Nigeria, South Africa and Saudi Arabia, the novel paints a vivid picture of how fear manifests in various forms, from street harassment to restrictive legal frameworks. Gqola’s work challenges societal norms and calls for collective feminist action to break free from these deeply rooted structures.
Gqola previously chaired the now-defunct Etisalat Prize for Literature in 2024, an award won by Zimbabwean author Noviolet Bulawayo for her debut novel *We Need New Names*.
Bibi Bakare-Yusuf, founder of Cassava Republic expressed her excitement for the achievement, stating, “Bringing African stories to the forefront and sharing narratives like Female Fear Factory is an essential mission. We aim to elevate African voices and tackle global issues like patriarchy that transcend borders.”
Founded in Abuja in 2006, Cassava Republic Press operates from Nigeria and London, working to reshape global perceptions of African literature. Bakare-Yusuf’s vision has always been to make African fiction as commonplace as cassava, a staple food in many African households.
The CANEX Prize, sponsored by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in collaboration with Narrative Landscape Press Limited, recognises outstanding African publishers. With a top prize of $20,000, it seeks to strengthen Africa’s book value chain. Finalists also receive $2,000 each. The 2024 awards ceremony took place on October 18, 2024, as part of the CANEX WKND celebration.
In her acceptance speech, Bakare-Yusuf emphasised that this recognition celebrates not just a single book but the collective effort of the African publishing industry. “This prize highlights the invisible labour that goes into African publishing. It’s a testament to the brave African publishers—like Les Case Des Lucioles, Jacana Media, Masobe, Kachifo, Narrative Landscape, Blackbird Books, New African Books, Modjaji Books, and others—who are reclaiming our narratives and showcasing our diverse experiences.”
Bakare-Yusuf further stressed the importance of building a robust publishing ecosystem to nurture African talent and reflect the continent’s unique stories. “African writers need publishers who understand their histories and cultures, and African readers deserve stories that mirror their realities. This prize signifies that African publishing no longer needs external approval; the most significant recognition comes from within.”
