3 minute read
Honouring Rémy Ngamije
Amplifying the voice of Namibian writers and visual artists
Rémy Ngamije, a Rwandan-born Namibian novelist, short story writer, essayist, columnist, poet and photographer, stands as an influential figure in Namibia’s literary landscape. Born in Kigali, Rwanda, in 1988, Rémy’s family relocated to Nairobi, Kenya, in 1994, eventually settling in Windhoek in 1996. This diverse upbringing enriched his perspective and contributed to his profound storytelling abilities.
In July 2019, Rémy’s literary brilliance shone through with the publication of his debut novel, The Eternal Audience of One.
Throughout his writing journey, Rémy’s short stories have graced esteemed literary platforms such as Litro Magazine (UK), AFREADA (UK), The Johannesburg Review of Books (South Africa), The Kalahari Review (Botswana), The Amistad (USA), American Chordata (USA), Azure (USA) and Sultan’s Seal (Egypt), among others.
Rémy plays a pivotal role as the editor-in-chief of Doek!, Namibia’s first literary magazine and a platform that amplifies the voices of Namibian writers and visual artists.
As a graduate of the University of Cape Town (UCT), Rémy holds BA degrees in English and Law and an LLB degree, reflecting his well-rounded academic pursuits.
Rémy’s visionary leadership has played a pivotal role in launching the Bank Windhoek Doek Literary Awards (BWDLAs), which honour and celebrate the exceptional works of Namibian literary artists. These prestigious awards are bestowed biennially and encompass writers (both fiction and nonfiction), poets and visual artists published in Doek! Literary Magazine. Embracing the core mission of Doek!, the BWDLAs foster a thriving and critical literary community in Namibia while extending the reach of the selected works, writers, poets and visual artists to a broader national and international audience.
Rémy Ngamije's storytelling prowess stems from his diverse upbringing, weaving tales that resonate with profound depth and authenticity.
Thanks to the generous support of Bank Windhoek, the official sponsor of the awards, the winning literary artists from the fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and visual arts categories each receive N$5,000 in cash and a unique trophy commissioned from a Namibian artist. Beyond the recognition and accolades, all longlisted, shortlisted and winning literary artists gain access to a host of opportunities within their respective creative fields.
The BWDLAs play an essential role in elevating African storytelling, further establishing Namibia as a hub for artistic talent. Bank Windhoek’s continued support of these literary awards is a testament to its commitment to being a cultural and artistic champion dedicated to the growth and enrichment of Namibian arts and artists.
Rémy and the entire team eagerly encourage all eligible Namibian writers, poets and visual artists to contribute their work for consideration. The submission guidelines can be accessed on Doek!’s official website: www.doeklitmag.com.
Laimi Elago