[3] The prize is an initiative of the Jacana Literary Foundation (JLF), a not-for-profit organisation that seeks to promote and foster excellent writing from southern Africa, in partnership with Johannesburg-based publisher Jacana Media.
External funding allows the JLF to publish and disseminate literature that might not otherwise be commercially viable.
Although the entries must be primarily in English, Jacana welcomes innovative writing that captures the multilingual African landscape.
[2] In addition, the Kraak Writing Grant is awarded to an entrant whose manuscript showed great promise.
The grant is valued at R25,000 and is dedicated to the memory of writer and human rights activist Gerald Kraak.