Online Reporter
Langalakhe Mabena, [email protected]
Acclaimed poet and writer Philani Amadeus Nyoni (PAN) has been shortlisted as a finalist for the 2026 Carlo Annoni International Playwriting Prize for his award-winning work, The Testament of Black Jesus.
The awards ceremony is set to take place on September 13, 2026, in Milan, Italy, where winners will be announced alongside some of the world’s emerging and established playwrights.
PAN joins an international list of finalists that includes Ian August (The Cricket), Elijah Benson (The Facilities), Brendan Bourque-Sheil (The Sparkle Wars), James Elazzi (Omar and Dawn), LaDarrion Williams (Hurt People), Gianfranco Lentini (Ocean Walk), Mal MacKenzie (Roadkill Bambi), Mackenzie Mann (Name: Nessie) and Sharifa Yazmeen (Close to Home).
Published in 2024, The Testament of Black Jesus is an epic poem and philosophical work that has earned widespread acclaim for its bold reimagining of Christian narratives through an African lens.
The book serves as a postcolonial retelling that challenges traditional Western representations of Christ by Africanising the figure of the saviour. At its centre is Mkhanyiselwa, a Black woman who assumes the role traditionally associated with Jesus, creating a powerful exploration of faith, identity, spirituality and cultural representation.
The nomination marks another significant milestone in PAN’s literary career and places Zimbabwean literature on the global stage as the countdown to the prestigious awards ceremony begins.
