Media24 Books Literary Awards

Media24 Books Literary Awards
Awarded forExcellent books published under Media24
CountrySouth Africa
Presented byMedia24
Formerly calledVia Afrika Awards
Nasboek Literary Awards
Reward(s)R35 000

The Media24 Books Literary Awards (known before 2011 as the Via Afrika Awards, and before that as the Nasboek Literary Awards)[1][2] are a group of five South African literary prizes awarded annually by Media24, the print-media arm of the South African media company Naspers. They are open to authors whose books are published within the Media24 Books stable (previously known as the Via Afrika stable), which includes NB Publishers, Jonathan Ball Publishers, LuxVerbi-BM, NVA, and Van Schaik Publishers.[3] Each award is worth R35 000.[4] The awards comprise:

  • The W.A. Hofmeyr Prize, a long-established prize for Afrikaans literature;
  • The Herman Charles Bosman Prize for English literature;
  • The Recht Malan Prize for non-fiction;
  • The MER Prizes for illustrated children’s books and youth literature;
  • The Elisabeth Eybers Prize for poetry.

The Jan Rabie Rapport Prize, for debut works in Afrikaans, was awarded annually at the same awards ceremony as the Media24 prizes from 2004 to 2014, but was open to all South African publishers.[5][6] The M-Net Literary Awards were also awarded at the same ceremony until 2010.[7]

The 2020 awards were heavily criticised for their lack of diversity. The winners included six white males and one white female, while the 18 judges included of only two people of colour.[8][9][10]

W.A. Hofmeyr Prize

The W.A. Hofmeyr Prize is awarded annually for literary excellence in drama, poetry and prose that could "shift the boundaries of Afrikaans literature."[11] It was instituted in 1954 by Nasionale Pers in honour of Afrikaans businessman W.A. Hofmeyr, a former chairman of the company. Originally only books published by Nasionale Boekhandel (NB Publishers) were eligible, but it is now open to all presses within the Media24 stable.[12] As of 2020, the award was worth R35 000.[4]

Winners (1954-2021)
Year Winner Work Shortlisted works Ref.
2020 Zirk van den Berg Ek wens, ek wens [13][14]
2019 Lodewyk G. du Plessis Die dao van Daan van der Walt [15][12]
2018 Eben Venter Groen soos die hemel daarbo [16][17]
2017 Dan Sleigh 1795 [18][19]
2016 Ingrid Winterbach Vlakwater [20][21]
2015 Willem Anker Buys: 'n grensroman [22][23]
2014 Etienne van Heerden Klimtol [24][25]
2013 Ingrid Winterbach Die aanspraak van lewende wesens [26][27]
2012 Dan Sleigh Wals met Mathilda [5][28]
2011 Alexander Strachan Dwaalpoort [29][30]
2010 Eben Venter Santa Gamka [31][32]
2009 Etienne van Heerden 30 Nagte in Amsterdam [33][34]
2008 Breyten Breytenbach Die windvanger [35][36]
2007 Ingrid Winterbach Die boek van toeval en toeverlaat [37][38]
2006 Etienne van Heerden In stede van die liefde [39]
2005 Marlene van Niekerk Agaat
2004 Eben Venter Begeerte
2003 Dan Sleigh Eilande
2002 Karel Schoeman Armosyn van die Kaap
2001 Dine van Zyl Slagoffers
2000 Ingrid Winterbach Buller se plan
1999 André P. Brink Duiwelskloof
1998 George Weideman Die onderskepper
1997 Eben Venter Ek stamel, ek sterwe
1996 Elsa Joubert Die reise van Isobelle
1995 Alexander Strachan Die werfbobbejaan
1994 Eben Venter Foxtrot van die vleiseters
1993
1992 Chris Barnard Moerland
1991 Sheila Cussons Die knetterende woord [40]
1990 T.T. Cloete Driepas [41]
1989 Elsa Joubert Missionaris [42]
1988 Ernst van Heerden Amulet teen die vuur [42]
1987 Etienne van Heerden Toorberg [42]
1986 T.T. Cloete Allotroop [41]
1985 Karel Schoeman 'n Ander land [43]
1984 Henriette Grové Die kêrel van die Pêrel, of Anatomie van ’n leuenaar [42]
1983 Elisabeth Eybers Bestand [42]
1982 Sheila Cussons Die woedende brood [40]
1981 T.T. Cloete Angelliera [41]
1980 D.J. Opperman Komas uit ’n bamboesstok [42]
1979 Elsa Joubert Die swerfjare van Poppie Nongena
1978
1977
1976 Freda Linde Die singende gras
1975 Ernst van Heerden Teenstrydige liedere
1974 Chris Barnard Mahala
1973 P.G. du Plessis Siener in die suburbs [44]
1972 Sheila Cussons Plektrum [40]
1971
1970 P.G. du Plessis Die nag van Legio [44]
1969
1968 M.M. Walters Cabala
1967 Linda Joubert Jaarringe
1966 D.J. Opperman Dolosse
1965 Audrey Blignault Met ligter tred
1964
1963
1962
1961
1960
1959
1958
1957
1956 D.J. Opperman Blom en baaierd
1955 Mikro Die porseleinkat [45]
1954 G.H. Franz Rabodutu
D.J. Opperman Periandros van Korinthe

Herman Charles Bosman Prize

The Herman Charles Bosman Prize, named for South African short-story writer Herman Charles Bosman, recognises excellence in English literary writing, including autobiography, in South Africa.[3]

Winners of the Herman Charles Bosman Prize (1997–2020)
Year Winner Work Shortlisted works Ref.
2020 Trevor Sacks Lucky Packet [46]
2019 Niq Mhlongo Soweto, Under the Apricot Tree [15]
2018 Ken Barris The Life of Worm and Other Misconceptions [16]
2017 No award [18]
2016 Finuala Dowling The Fetch
  • Athol Fugard and Paula Fourie, The Shadow of the Hummingbird
 [21][20]
2015 Michiel Heyns A Sportful Malice [22][23]
2014 Novuyo Rosa Tshuma Shadows [24][25]
2013 Rustum Kozain Groundwork
  • Ken Barris, Life Underwater
  • Chris Wadman, The Unlikely Genius of Dr Cuthbert Kambazuma
 [26][27]
2012 Michiel Heyns Lost Ground [5][28]
2011 Sifiso Mzobe Young Blood [47][30]
2010 Sally-Ann Murray Small Moving Parts [1][7]
2009 Michiel Heyns Bodies Politic [3][48]
2008 No award
  • Gail Dendy, The Lady Missionary (honourable mention)
  • Niq Mhlongo, After Tears (honourable mention)
  • Brent Meersman, Primary Coloured
 [35][36]
2007 Maxine Case All We Have Left Unsaid
  • Ken Barris, What Kind of Child
 [37][38]
Kgebetli Moele Room 207
2006 Simão Kikamba Going Home [39]
2005 Keorapetse Kgositsile This Way I Salute You: Selected Poems [11]
2004 Rayda Jacobs Confessions of a Gambler [49]
2003 Ingrid Fiske Terrestrial Things: Poems [2]
2002 K. Sello Duiker The Quiet Violence of Dreams
2001 Willemien Le Roux Shadow Bird
2000 Peter Rudolf Gisela Horn My Voice is Under Control Now
1999
1998 Achmat Dangor Kafka's Curse: A Novella & Three Other Stories
1997 Rayda Jacobs Eyes of the Sky

Recht Malan Prize

The Recht Malan Prize recognises excellent non-fiction or non-literary books in English or Afrikaans, aiming to promote quality of writing, depth of research, and originality of approach. It was first awarded in 1978.[3]

Winners of the Recht Malan Prize (2003–2020)
Year Winner Work Shortlisted works Ref.
2020 Jonny Steinberg One Day in Bethlehem
  • Adam Habib, Rebels and Rage
  • Michelle le Roux and Dennis Davis, Lawfare
 [50][13]
2019 Rob Rose Steinheist
  • Simone Haysom,The Last Words of Rowan du Preez
  • Nathan Trantraal, Wit issie ’n colour nie
 [15]
2018 Jacques Pauw The President’s Keepers [16]
2017 Sean Christie Under Nelson Mandela Boulevard
  • Daniel Browde, The Relatively Public Life of Jules Browde
  • Kevin Bloom and Richard Poplak, Continental Shift
 [18][19]
2016 Milton Shain A Perfect Storm [20][21]
2015 Mark Gevisser Lost and Found in Johannesburg [22][23]
2014 Irina Filatova and Apollon Davidson The Hidden Thread
  • Graham Linscott, Into the River of Life
  • Bill Nasson and Albert Grundlingh, The War at Home / Die oorlog kom huis toe
 [24][25]
2013 Stephen Ellis The External Mission [26][27]
2012 Anton Harber Diepsloot
  • Dawid de Villiers and Mathilda Slabbert, David Kramer: A Biography
  • Paul Holden and Hennie van Vuuren, The Devil in the Detail
 [5][28]
2011 Bill Nasson The War for South Africa [47][30]
2010 Elsa Joubert Reisiger [1][7]
2009 Tony Leon On the Contrary
  • Julia Martin, A Millimetre of Dust
 [3][48]
Jonny Steinberg Three-Letter Plague
2008 Mark Gevisser Thabo Mbeki: The Dream Deferred [35][36]
2007 Leon Rousseau Die groot avontuur
  • Mxolisi Mgxashe, Are You With Us?
  • Sarah Nuttall (ed.), Beautiful Ugly
 [37][38]
2006 Antony Altbeker The Dirty Work of Democracy [39]
2005 Uma Dhupella-Mesthrie Gandhi’s Prisoner? [11]
2004 Hermann Giliomee The Afrikaners [49]
2003 Karel Schoeman Die laaste Afrikaanse boek [2]
2002 Karel Schoeman Die dogter van Sion [51]

Elisabeth Eybers Prize

The Elisabeth Eybers Prize, named for Afrikaans poet Elisabeth Eybers, recognises poetry in English and Afrikaans. It aims to reward "excellence and innovation" in poetry, and was awarded for the first time in 2014.[52]

Winners of the Elisabeth Eybers Prize (2014–2020)
Year Winner Work Shortlisted works Ref.
2020 Loftus Marais Jan, Piet, Koos and Jakob [13]
2019 Gabeba Baderoon The History of Intimacy
  • Pieter Odendaal, Asof geen berge ooit hier gewoon het nie
 [15]
2018 Marlene van Niekerk In die stille agterkamer
  • Corné Coetzee, Nou, hier
  • Jolyn Phillips, Radbraak
  • Nathan Trantraal, Alles het niet kom wôd
 [16]
2017 Bibi Slippers Fotostaatmajien [18][19]
2016 Gilbert Gibson Vry- [20][21]
2015 Antjie Krog Mede-wete
  • Charl-Pierre Naudé, Al die lieflike dade
 [22][23]
2014 Marlene van Niekerk Kaar [24][25]

MER Prizes

The MER Prizes, named after Afrikaans children's author Mimie E. Rothmann, are longstanding awards which recognise illustrated children's books and youth literature, aimed at (but not exclusively for) ages 0–8 and 8–16 respectively.[3] The prize in the children's category is split between the author and the illustrator.

Winners of the MER Prize for Youth Literature (2003–2020)
Year Writer Work Ref.
2020 Edyth Bulbring The Choice Between Us [13]
2019 S.A. Partridge Mine [15]
2018 Carin Krahtz Blou is nie ’n kleur nie [16]
2017 Edyth Bulbring Snitch [18]
2016 Carin Krahtz Elton amper famous April en juffrou Brom [21]
2015 Andre Eva Bosch Alive Again [22]
2014 S.A. Partridge Sharp Edges [24]
2013 Annelie Ferreira Totsiens, Koning Arthur [26]
2012 S.A. Partridge Dark Poppy’s Demise [5]
2011 Derick van der Walt Willem Poprok [47]
2010 Peter Dunseith The Bird of Heaven [7]
2009 Derick van der Walt Lien se lankstaanskoene [48]
2008 S.A. Partridge The Goblet Club
2007 Jenny Robson Praise Song [37]
2006 Fanie Viljoen Breinbliksem [39]
2005 Anoeschka von Meck Vaselinetjie [11]
2004 Willem van der Walt Ragtime en rocks [49]
2003 Jackie Nagtegaal Daar is 'n vis in die punch [2]
Winners of the MER Prize for Children's Books (2004–2020)
Year Writer Illustrator Work Ref.
2020 Fanie Viljoen Theodore Key Die dag toe die draak kom: ’n Boek vir meisies

Die hasie van fluweel

[13]
2019 Dihanna Taute Theodore Key Die legendariese Lua Verwey [15]
2018 Rosamund Haden Tony Pinchuck The All Africa Wildlife Express [16]
2017 Ingrid Mennen Irene Berg Ink [18]
2016 Elizabeth Wasserman Astrid Castle Jannus en Kriek en die tydmasjien [21]
2015 Fiona Moodie Fiona Moodie Noko and the Kool Kats [22]
2014 Linda Rode Johann Strauss In die land van pamperlang [24]
2013 Ingrid Mennen Irene Berg Ben en die walvisse [26]
2012 Alex D’Angelo Marjorie van Heerden Goblin Diaries [5]
2011 Wendy Hartmann Joan Rankin Just Sisi / Net Sisi [47]
2010 Linda Rode Fiona Moodie In the Never-Ever Wood [7]
2009 Mari Grobler Elizabeth Pulles Siyolo’s Jersey / Siyolo se trui [48]
2008 Wendy Hartmann Marjorie van Heerden Nina and Little Duck
2007 Fanie Viljoen Karl Stephan Geraamte in die klas [37]
2006 Marita van der Vyver Piet Grobler Mia se Ma [39]
2005 Wynand Louw Marjorie van Heerden Mr Humperdinck’s Wonderful Whatsit [11]
2004 Martie Preller Vian Oelofsen Ek is Simon [49]

Jan Rabie Rapport Prize

The Jan Rabie Rapport Prize, named for Afrikaans writer Jan Rabie, is awarded to debut or early works "characterised by fresh and innovative Afrikaans prose."[3] It was given for the first time in 2004, and until 2014 was awarded with the Media24 Books awards, although it was open to books from all publishers.[2] Since 2015, it has been awarded with the kykNET-Rapport Book Prizes, a group of Afrikaans literary awards.[6]

Winners of the Jan Rabie Rapport Prize (2004–2021)
Year Winner Work Ref.
2021 Anton Roodt Weerlose meganika [6]
2020
2019
2018
2017 Valda Jansen Hy kom met die skoenlappers [18]
2016
2015
2014 Dominique Botha Valsrivier [24][25]
2013 M.S. Burger Bloedfamilie [26][27]
2012 S.J. Naudé Alfabet van die voëls [5][28]
2011 Deborah Steinmair Marike se laaste dans [47][30]
2010 Bettina Wyngaard Troos vir die gebrokenes [1][7]
2009 Karin Cronje Alles mooi weer [3][48]
2008 Willem Anker Siegfried [35][36]
2007 Johan Engelbrecht Kaffertjie [37][38]
2006 Marlize Hobbs Flarde [39]
2005 Anoeschka von Meck Vaselinetjie [11]
2004 Kleinboer Kontrei [49]

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