Tsitsi Dangarembga, a prominent Zimbabwean filmmaker, novelist, and cultural activist, has been named the 16th recipient of the Alice and Clifford Spendlove Prize in Social Justice, Diplomacy, and Tolerance.
Dangarembga is widely recognized for her 1988 debut novel, Nervous Conditions, which became the first English-published book by a Black Zimbabwean woman. The novel won the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize and is highly regarded for its exploration of colonialism, gender, and identity in postcolonial Africa. It is the first in a trilogy, followed by The Book of Not (2006) and This Mournable Body (2018), the latter of which was shortlisted for the Booker Prize.
In addition to her literary achievements, Dangarembga is a distinguished filmmaker, often highlighting the experiences of African women. She founded Zimbabwe’s International Images Film Festival for Women and the Institute of Creative Arts for Progress in Africa (ICAPA), advocating for increased representation of African women in cinema and fostering the growth of African filmmakers in the global market.
The Spendlove Prize, established in 2005 through a gift from Merced native Sherrie Spendlove in honor of her parents, recognizes individuals who serve as role models in social justice. The annual prize carries a $15,000 award and seeks to inspire students, faculty, and the community of UC Merced. Commenting on the award, Spendlove and her son, Micah Gallo, expressed their excitement in honoring Dangarembga, the first filmmaker to receive the prize, and anticipated her future contributions.
Dangarembga, also known for her activism, was arrested in 2020 for protesting against political repression in Zimbabwe. Her art and activism have established her as an influential advocate for social justice both in her country and internationally.
She studied psychology at the University of Zimbabwe and earned a master’s degree in directing from the German Film and Television Academy in Berlin. Currently, she is working on literary projects and developing fiction films through ICAPA.
Leo Arriola, dean of UC Merced’s School of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Arts, praised Dangarembga’s contributions to justice and tolerance, noting how her work amplifies the voices of African women and sheds light on global human rights issues.
The award ceremony will be held at UC Merced’s Lakireddy Grand Ballroom on November 13, with Dangarembga delivering a talk titled “Ubuntu 2.0: Thoughts on a More Equal World from an Old African Institution.” Past honorees of the Spendlove Prize include the Dalai Lama, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Rigoberta Menchú Tum.
