Since literature from the Southern hemisphere continues to be sidelined on the literary markets in Europe, the Society for the Promotion of African, Asian and Latin American literature (a non-profit and non-commercial literary agency closely cooperating with the Frankfurt Book Fair) has developed a programme of translation grants for important fiction books by authors of the Southern Hemisphere.The programme is funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the German government and the Swiss cultural foundation PRO HELVETIA. Since 1984 the German translations of about 550 books (novels, short stories, poetry) have been supported, 107 of them by authors from Africa South of the Sahara. The programme is working on the basis of applications by German language publishers (and not authors or translators); hence, there are also books by African authors available in translation on the German market which have not been supported by this programme. However, more than 20% of all fiction works by African authors published in German translation during the last two decades have received grants under this programme, among them relevant works by eminent authors. The aim of the programme is also to encourage literary discoveries by introducing new African authors to the German readers.

Subsidies are granted by an independent jury.

2009

André Brink (Südafrika). Cupido Cockroach (Praying Mantis. Novel, tr. from English by Inge Leipold.) Osburg Verlag, Berlin/Ratzeburg, October 2009
Samson Kambalu ( Malawi). The Jive Talker or How to get a British passport. (Novel, tr. from English by Marlies Ruß.) Unionsverlag, Zurich, spring 2010
Kagiso Lesogo Molope (Südafrika). Im Schatten des Zitronenbaums (The Mending Season. Youth Novel, tr. from English by salah Naoura.) Kinderbuchfonds Baobab, Basel, NordSüd Verlag, Zürich, September 2009
Meja Mwangi (Kenia). Big Chiefs. (The Big Chiefs. Novel, tr. from English by Thomas Brückner.) Peter Hammer Verlag, Wuppertal, Februar 2009

2008

Jose Eduardo Agualusa (Angola). Das Lachen des Geckos. (O vendedor de passados. Novel, tr. Portuguese Michael Kegler) A1 Verlag, München, September 2008
Jamal Mahjoub (Sudan). Die Stunde der Zeichen. (In the Hour of Signs. Novel, tr. English Thomas Brückner) Büchergilde Gutenberg, Frankfurt, autumn 2008
Atta, Sefi (Nigeria). Sag allen, es wird gut. (Something Good Will Come, Tr. English Sigrid Groß) Peter Hammer Verlag, Wuppertal, Summer 2008
Iweala, Uzodinma (Nigeria). Du Sollst Bestie Sein! (Beast of No Nation, Novel, Tr. English Marcus Ingendaay) Ammann Verlag, Zürich, Spring 2008
Soyinka, Wole (Nigeria). Brich auf in früher Dämmerung. (You Must Set Forth at Dawn, Novel, Tr. English Inge Uffelmann) Ammann Verlag, Zürich, Spring 2008
Vladislavic, Ivan (South Africa). Johannesburg- Insel aus Zufall (Portrait with Keys. Joburg & What What, Novel Tr. English Thomas Brückner) A1 Verlag, München, Spring 2008
Waberi, Abdourahman A. (Djibuti). In den Vereinigten Staaten von Afrika. (Aux Ètat-unis d'Afrique, Novel, Tr. French Katja Meintel) Edition Nautilius, Hamburg, Spring 2008

2007

Aminatta Forna (Sierra Leone) Abies Steine (Ancestor Stones. Novel. tr. English Sabine Schwenk) Berlin Verlag, Berlin 2007
Jenny Robson (South Africa) All for Love (Praise Song. Youth novel, tr. English Jutta Himmelreich) Peter Hammer Verlag, Wuppertal 2007
Anne Schuster (South Africa) Begegnung mit einer Vergessenen (Foolish Delusions. Novel, tr. Bettina Weiss) kalliope paperbacks, Heidelberg 2008
Wangari Maathai (Kenya) Afrika, mein Leben (Unbowed. Autobiography, tr. Ursula Wulfekamp) DuMont Literatur und Kunst Verlag, Köln 2008
Joseph Lemasolai Lekuton (Kenia) Facing the lion. Kindheit und Jugend eines Massai in der afrikanischen Savanne. (Facing the lion. Report, tr. English Werner Petermann) Peter Hammer Verlag, Wuppertal, spring 2007
Ester Mujawayo/Souâd Belhaddad (Rwanda) Auf der Suche nach Stéphanie (La fleur de Stéphanie. Report, tr. French Jutta Himmelreich) Peter Hammer Verlag, Wuppertal, spring 2007

2006

Zakes Mda (South Africa) Der Walrufer (The Whale Caller. Novel, tr. English Peter Torberg) Unionsverlag, Zürich 2006
Abdulrazak Gurnah (Tanzania) Abtrünnig (Desertion. Novel, tr. English Stefanie Schaffer-de Vries) Berlin Verlag, Berlin 2006
Ondjaki (Angola) Bom dia camaradas (Bom dia camaradas. Novel, tr. Portuguese Claudia Stein) Verlag NordSüd, Gossau 2006

2005

Hennie Aucamp (South Africa) Hungerblume (Hongerblom Stories, tr. Afrikaans Rainer Noske) University Press, Bonn 2005
Zakes Mda (Lesotho/South Africa) Die Madonna von Excelsior (The Madonna of Excelsior. Novel, tr. English Peter Torberg) Unionsverlag, Zürich 2005
Esther Mujawajo/Souâd Belhaddad (Rwanda) Ein Leben mehr (SurVivantes. Tr. French Jutta Himmelreich) Peter Hammer Verlag, Wuppertal 2005
Wole Soyinka (Nigeria) Klima der Angst (A changing mask of fear. Essays, tr. English Gerd Meuer) Ammann Verlag, Zürich 2005
Yizo Yizo. Kurzgeschichten aus einem neuen Südafrika (Anthology of short stories, tr. English Thomas Brückner) Peter Hammer Verlag, Wuppertal 2005

2004

Kangni Alem (Togo) Cola Cola Jazz (Cola Cola Jazz, tr. French Gudrun und Otto Honke) Peter Hammer Verlag, Wuppertal 2004
Barlen Pyamootoo (Mauritius) Benares (Bénarès, tr. French Barbara Heber-Schärer) Antje Kunstmann, München 2004
Achille F. Ngoye (DR Congo) Schwarzes Ballett in Chateau-Rouge (Ballet noir à Chateau-Rouge. Novel, tr. French Katarina Grän & Ronald Voullié) zebu verlag, Frankfurt am Main 2004

2003

Pepetela (Angola) Jaime Bundo - Agente Secreto (Novel, tr. Portuguese Barbara Mesquita) Unionsverlag, Zürich 2003
Angelica Ammar, Stephanie v. Harrach and Michi Strausfeld (eds) Frankophonie (Anthology of prose and poetry written in French by authors from sub-Saharan Africa, tr. French by various translators) die horen, Vol. 209, Bremerhaven 2003
Etienne van Heerden (South Africa) Das lange Schweigen (Die Swye von Mario Salviati. Novel, tr. Afrikaans Stefanie Schäfer) C. Bertelsmann, München 2004
Patrice Nganang (Cameroon) Hundezeiten (Temps de chien. Novel, tr. French Gudrun Honke & Otto Honke) Peter Hammer Verlag, Wuppertal 2003

2002

Véronique Tadjo (Ivory Coast) Hinter uns der Regen (Champs de bataille et d’amour. Novel, tr. French Sigrid Groß) Peter Hammer Verlag, Wuppertal 2002
Zoë Wicomb (South Africa) Davids Geschichte (David’s story. Novel, tr. English Hilde Schruff) Lamuv Verlag, Göttingen 2002
Véronique Tadjo/Peter Ripken (eds) Antilopenmond. Liebesgedichte aus Afrika (Antelope Moon. Anthology of African poetry around the theme of love. tr. Engl. Thomas Brückner; tr. French Sigrid Groß; tr. Portuguese Inès Koebel) Peter Hammer Verlag, Wuppertal 2002

2001

Véronique Tadjo (Ivory Coast) Der Schatten Gottes. Reisen ans Ende Ruandas (L’Ombre d’Imana. Prose, tr. French Sigrid Groß) Peter Hammer Verlag, Wuppertal 2001
Wole Soyinka (Nigeria) Die Last der Erinnerung (The Burden of Memory, the Muse of Forgiveness. Essays, tr. English Gerd Meuer) Patmos Verlag, Düsseldorf 2001
Nuruddin Farah (Somalia) Duniyas Gaben (Gifts. Novel, tr. English Klaus Premsel) Suhrkamp Verlag, Frankfurt 2001
Gillian Slovo (South Africa) Roter Staub (Red Dust. Novel, tr. English Uda Strätling) Verlag Antje Kunstmann, München 2001
Lesley Milne (South Africa) Schattenspringer (The Bughouse. Youth novel, tr. English. Susanne Koehler) Esslinger Verlag, Stuttgart 2001
Ashraf Jamal (South Africa) Liebeslieder für die Wildnis (Love Themes for the Wilderness. Novel, tr. English Andrea Viala) Verlagshaus No. 8, Wetzlar 2002
Ben Okri (Nigeria) Maskeraden und andere Erzählungen (Incidents at the Shrine. Stories, tr. English Helmuth A. Niederle) Edition KAPPA, München 2001
Abdulrazak Gurnah (Tanzania) Ferne Gestade (By the Sea. Novel, tr. Engl. Thomas Brückner), Edition KAPPA, München 2002
Meja Mwangi (Kenya) Die Wilderer (The Bushtrackers. Novel, tr. English Peter Friedrich) Unionsverlag, Zürich 2001

Seitenanfang

2000

Yvonne Vera (Zimbabwe) Nehanda (Nehanda. Novel. tr. Kate Reiner) Edition Isele, Eggingen 2000
Mongo Beti (Cameroon) Sonne Liebe Tod (Trop de Soleil tue l’Amour. Novel, tr. French Stefan Linster) Unionsverlag, Zürich 2000
Ben Okri (Nigeria) Der Unsichtbare (Astonishing the Gods. Novel, tr. English Helmuth A. Niederle) edition KAPPA, München 2000

1999

Charles Mungoshi (Zimbabwe) Von Frauen und anderen Geliebten (Walking still. Stories, tr. English Thomas Brückner) Marino, München 1999
Mia Couto (Mosambik) Unter dem Frangipani-Baum (A Varanda do Frangipani. Novel, tr. Portuguese Karin von Schweder-Schreiner) Alexander Fest Verlag, Berlin 2000
Rachelle Greeff (South Africa) Wohin der Wind dich trägt (Al die windrigtings van my wêreld. Novel, tr. Afrikaans Stefanie Schäfer), Heyne/Diana, München 1999
Emmanuel B. Dongala (Rep. Congo) Kinder von den Sternen (Les Petits Garçons naissent aussi des étoiles. Novel, tr. French Sigrid Groß) Peter Hammer Verlag, Wuppertal 2000
Fatou Keïta (Côte d‘Ivoire) Die stolze Rebellin (Rebelle. Novel, tr. French Sigrid Groß) Marino bei Frederking & Thaler, München 2000
Tchicaya U Tam‘Si (Rep. Congo) Arc Musical (Poems, tr. French Beate Thill) Rimbaud, Aachen 1999

1998

Ama Ata Aidoo (Ghana) Die Zweitfrau. Eine Liebesgeschichte (Changes. A Love story,. Novel, tr. English Anita Jörges-Djafari) Lamuv Verlag, Göttingen 1998
Calixthe Beyala (Cameroon) Jenseits von Duala (Les Honneurs perdus. Novel, tr. French Giovanna Waeckerlin-Induni) Fretz & Wasmuth, Bern 1998
Chenjerai Hove (Zimbabwe) Ahnenträume (Ancestors. Novel, tr. English Thomas Brückner ) Marino Verlag, München 1999
Ahmadou Kourouma (Côte d‘Ivoire) Die Nächte des grossen Jägers (En attendant le vote des bêtes sauvages. Novel, tr. French Cornelia Panzacchi) Peter Hammer Verlag, Wuppertal 2000
Tierno Monénembo (Guinea) Cinema (Cinéma. Novel, tr. French Karin Boden & Monique Lütgens) Peter Hammer Verlag, Wuppertal 1999
A.H.M. Scholtz (South Africa) Vatmaar (Vaatmar. Novel, tr. Afrikaans Arnold Blumer) Luchterhand Verlag, München 1999
Abdourahman Waberi (Djibouti) Die Legende von der Nomadensonne (Le pays sans ombre/Cahier nomade. Stories, tr. French Brigitte Kautz) Marino Verlag, München 1998
Michael Williams (South Africa) Wer tötete Jimmy Valentine? (Who killed Jimmy Valentine?, Novel, tr. English Nicolai von Schweder-Schreiner) Alibaba Verlag, Frankfurt 1998
Jost G. Blum/Michael von Killisch-Horn (eds) Das Huhn das schreit gehört dem Fremden (Anthology with poems and prose by Jack Mapanje, Kojo Laing, Chenjerai Hove, Yvonne Vera, Véronique Tadjo, Abdourahman Waberi, Sony Labou Tansi, Lesego Rampolokeng; various translators) metaphorá, München 1998
Ulrich Faure/Thomas Schwab (eds) Antenne im Riff (Anthology with poems and prose from Mauritius; various translators) Axel Dielmann Verlag, Frankfurt 1998

1997

Yvonne Vera (Zimbabwe) Eine Frau ohne Namen (Without a Name. Novel, tr. English Hilde Schruff) Marino Verlag, München 1997
Yvonne Vera (Zimbabwe) Seelen im Exil (Why don‘t you carve other animals. Stories, tr. English Hilde Schruff) Lamuv Verlag, Göttingen 1997
Shafi Adam Shafi (Tanzania) Die Sklaverei der Gewürze (Kasri ya Mwinyi Fuad. Novel, tr.Kiswahili, Karin Boden & Monique Lütgens) Marino Verlag, München 1997
Meja Mwangi (Kenya) Die achte Plage (The last plague. Novel, tr. English Susanne Koehler), Peter Hammer Verlag, Wuppertal 1997
Biyi Bandele-Thomas (Nigeria) In London keine Regenzeit (Incantations on an eve of execution. Novel, tr. English Gabriele Cenefels) DIPA-Verlag, Frankfurt 1997
Paulina Chiziane (Mozambique) Wind der Apokalypse (Ventos do apocalipse. Novel, tr. Portuguese Elisa Fuchs) Brandes & Apsel, Frankfurt 1997
Axel Gauvin (Réunion) Wenn du aufwachst, bin ich da (L’Aimé. Novel, tr. French Giovanna Waeckerlin) Peter Hammer Verlag, Wuppertal 1997
Bessie Head (South Africa) Sternenwende (The Cardinals. Novel, tr. English Susanne Koehler) Lamuv Verlag, Götttingen 1997
Zoë Wicomb (South Africa) In Kapstadt kannst Du nicht verlorengehen (You can‘t get lost in Cape Town. Stories, tr.English Karen Noelle-Fischer) Lamuv Verlag, Göttingen 1997

1996

Chenjerai Hove (Zimbabwe) Schattenlicht (Shadows. Novel, tr. English Thomas Brückner) Marino Verlag, München 1996
Ben Okri (Nigeria) Verfängliche Liebe (Dangerous Love. Novel tr. English Uli Wittmann) Kiepenheuer & Witsch Verlag, Köln 1996
Eben Venter (South Africa) Burenfoxtrott (Foxtrot van die Vleiseters. Novel, tr. Afrikaans Stefanie Schäfer) Claassen Verlag, Hildesheim 1996
Gcina Mhlophe (South Africa) Love Child. Die Geschichtenerzählerin aus Südafrika (Love Child. Stories, tr. English Susanne Koehler) Peter Hammer Verlag, Wuppertal 1996
Amadou Hampaté Bâ (Mali) Oui, Mon Commandant ! In kolonialen Diensten (Oui, Mon Commandant. Autobiography, tr. French, Karin Boden & Monique Lütgens) Peter Hammer Verlag, Wuppertal 1997
Syl Cheney-Coker (Sierra Leone) Der Nubier (The last Harmattan of Alusine Dunbar. Novel, tr. English Thomas Brückner) Peter Hammer Verlag, Wuppertal 1996

Seitenanfang

1995

Chenjerai Hove (Zimbabwe) Stadtgeflüster. Skizzen aus einer afrikanischen Metropole (Shebeen Tales. Essays, tr. English Monika Walter) DIPA Verlag, Frankfurt 1995
Tierno Monénembo (Guinea) Zahltag in Abidjan (Un atttiéké pour Elgass. Novel, tr. French Gudrun Honke & Gunhild Niggestich) Peter Hammer Verlag, Wuppertal 1996
Ivan Vladislavic (South Africa) Der Plan des Baumeisters (The Folly. Novel, tr. English Monika Walter) DIPA Verlag, Frankfurt 1998

1994

Holger Ehling/Koyo Kouoh (eds) Töchter Afrikas. Schwarze Frauen erzählen (Daughters of Africa. An Anthology of black women writing; various translators) Marino Verlag, München 1994
Mia Couto (Mosambik) Das schlafwandelnde Land (Terra Sonâmbula. Novel, tr. Portuguese Karin von Schweder-Schreiner), DIPA-Verlag, Frankfurt 1994
Don Mattera (Südafrika) Sophiatown (Memory is the weapon/Gone with the Twilight. Autobiography, tr. English Thomas Brückner), Peter Hammer Verlag, Wuppertal 1994
Ivan Vladislavic (Südafrika) Die Terminal Bar und andere endgültige Geschichten (Missing Persons. Stories, tr. English Gabriele Cenefels) DIPA-Verlag, Frankfurt 1994
Amadou Hampâté Bâ (Mali) Jäger des Wortes. Eine Kindheit in Westafrika (Amkoullel, l’enfant peul. Autobiography, tr. French Heidrun Hemje-Oltmanns) Peter Hammer Verlag, Wuppertal 1993
Henri Lopes (Kongo) Der Geruch deiner Haut (Sur l'autre rive. Novel, tr. French Heidi Brang) Verlag Volk und Welt, Berlin 1994
Charles Mungoshi (Zimbabwe) Der sprechende Kürbis (Stories from a Shona Childhood. Stories, tr. English Susanne Koehler), Nagel & Kimche, Frauenfeld 1994
Kojo Laing (Ghana) Die Sonnensucher (Search Sweet Country. Novel, tr.English Thomas Brückner), Marino Verlag, München 1995

1992/93

Biyi Bandele-Thomas (Nigeria) kerosin mangos (The Sympathetic Undertaker and other Dreams. Novel, tr. English Gabriele Cenefels) DIPA-Verlag, Frankfurt 1993
Peter Abrahams (South Africa) Xuma (Mine Boy. Novel, tr. English Petra Schreyer) Alexander Verlag, Berlin 1993
Etienne van Heerden (South Africa) Geisterberg (Toorberg. Novel, tr. Afrikaans Peter Sulzer) Unionsverlag, Zürich 1993
Sindiwe Magona (South Africa) bitterer nektar der nacht. Erzählungen (Living, Loving and Lying Awake at Night. Stories, tr. English Petra Post & Andrea von Struve) DIPA-Verlag, Frankfurt 1993
Beverley Naidoo (South Africa) Naledi - Ketten des Zorns (Chains of Fire. Youth Novel, tr. English Hanns Schumacher) Alibaba Verlag, Frankfurt 1992
Mongane Wally Serote (South Africa) Neues Leben, im Blut geboren (To every birth its blood. Novel, tr. English Margrit Lienert) Rotpunkt Verlag, Zürich 1992

1991

Tchicaya U Tam’si (Kongo) Böses Blut/Le Mauvais Sang. Gedichte (Le Mauvais Sang, Poésie, tr. French Beate Thill) Rimbaud Verlag Verlag, Aachen 1993
Richard Rive (South Africa) Buckingham Palast (Buckingham Palace - District Six. Novel, tr. English Ilija Trojanow) Marino Verlag, München 1994
Shimmer Chinodya (Zimbabwe) Dornenernte (Harvest of Thorns. Novel, tr.English Beate Horlemann), Horlemann Verlag, Bad Honnef 1991
Aniceti Kitereza (Tansania) Der Schlangentöter (Bwana Myombekere & Bibi Bugonoka na Ntulanalwo & Bulihwali. Novel, tr. Kiswahili Wilhelm J.G. Möhlig) Peter Hammer Verlag, Wuppertal 1993

Seitenanfang

1990

Chenjerai Hove (Zimbabwe) Knochen (Bones. Novel, tr. English Ilija Trojanow) Marino Verlag, München 1990
Sembène Ousmane (Senegal) Der Voltaer – Niiwam –Taaw. Erzählungen (Voltaïque, Niiwam, suivi de Taaw. Stories, tr. French Christiane Kimmler-Sohr) Oberbaum Verlag, Berlin 1992
Moyez G. Vassanji (Tansania) Das Erbe der Muscheln (The Gunny Sack. Novel, tr. English Inge Uffelmann) Marino Verlag, München 1990

1989

Amos Tutuola (Nigeria) Mein Leben im Busch der Geister (My Life in the Bush of Ghosts. Stories, tr. English Wulf Teichmann) Alexander Verlag, Berlin 1991

1988

Dambudzo Marechera (Zimbabwe) Die Haut der Zeit (Mindblast or the Definitive Buddy. Prose, tr. English Wolfgang Gehrmann) Graphium press, Wuppertal 1989
Bessie Head (South Africa) Die Schatzsammlerin. Erzählungen (The Collector of Treasures. Stories, tr. English Uta Goridis) Orlanda Frauenverlag, Berlin 1988
Godfrey Moloi (South Africa) Music, Coke und Shebeens. Mein Leben in den Townships (My Life. Autobiography, tr. English Christoph Plate) Galgenberg, Hamburg 1989

1988

Christopher Hope (South Africa) Das Land am Abgrund. Wiederbegegnung mit Südafrika (White Boy Running. Essays, tr. English Brigitte Gerlinghoff und Christian Spiel) Piper, München 1988

1987

Bessie Head (South Africa) Die Farbe der Macht (A question of power. Novel, tr. English Uta Goridis) Orlanda Verlag, Berlin 1987

1986

Ngugi wa Thiong’o (Kenya) Kaltgestellt. Gefängnistagebuch (Detained. A Writer‘s Diary, tr. English Susanne Koehler) Trickster Verlag, München 1991

1985

Ken Bugul (Senegal) Die Nacht des Baobab (Le Baobab Fou. Novel, tr. French Inge M. Artl) Unionsverlag, Zürich 1985
Ellen Kuzwayo (South Africa) Mein Leben (Call me woman. Autobiography, tr. English Bruni Röhm) sub rosa Frauenverlag, Berlin 1985

1984

Sony Labou Tansi (Kongo) Die heillose Verfassung (L'état honteux. Novel, tr. French Bettina Kobold) eco-verlag, Zürich 1984
Ngugi wa Thiong'o (Kenya) Der Fluß dazwischen (The River Between. Novel, tr. English Anita Jörges) Verlag Antje Kunstmann, München 1984
Henry R. Ole Kulet (Kenya) Im Kreis der Krieger (To become a man. Novel, tr. English Susanne Koehler) Arena Verlag, Würzburg 1985

Translation grants for books by Arab authors
Translation grants for books by Asian authors
Translation grants for books by Latin American authors

Translation grants for books by Caribbean authors

Seitenanfang