# Media24 Books Literary Awards

The Media24 Books Literary Awards (known before 2011 as the Via Afrika Awards, and before that as the Nasboek Literary Awards) 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. Each award is worth R35 000. 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. The M-Net Literary Awards were also awarded at the same ceremony until 2010.
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.

## 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." 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. As of 2020, the award was worth R35 000.
Winners (1954-2021) :
| Year | Winner | Work | Shortlisted works |
| 2020 | Zirk van den Berg | Ek wens, ek wens | Kerneels Breytenbach, Hond se gedagte Etienne van Heerden, Die biblioteek aan die einde van die wêreld |
| 2019 | Lodewyk G. du Plessis | Die dao van Daan van der Walt | Ingrid Winterbach, Die troebel tyd Charl-Pierre Naudé, Die ongelooflike onskuld van Dirkie Verwey |
| 2018 | Eben Venter | Groen soos die hemel daarbo | Etienne Van Heerden, Die wêreld van Charlie Oeng Nicole Jaekel Strauss, As in die mond |
| 2017 | Dan Sleigh | 1795 | Ryk Hattingh, Huilboek John Miles, Op ’n dag, ’n hond |
| 2016 | Ingrid Winterbach | Vlakwater | Lien Botha, Wonderboom Alexander Strachan, Brandwaterkom |
| 2015 | Willem Anker | Buys: 'n grensroman | Kerneels Breytenbach, Ester Harry Kalmer, 'n Duisend stories oor Johannesburg Francois Smith, Kamphoer |
| 2014 | Etienne van Heerden | Klimtol | Kerneels Breytenbach and Deon Opperman, Donkerland Eben Venter, Wolf, wolf |
| 2013 | Ingrid Winterbach | Die aanspraak van lewende wesens | Petra Muller, Om die gedagte van geel Johann de Lange, Vaarwel, my effens bevlekte held |
| 2012 | Dan Sleigh | Wals met Mathilda | T.T. Cloete, Onversadig Sonja Loots, Sirkusboere |
| 2011 | Alexander Strachan | Dwaalpoort | Ingrid Winterbach, Die benederyk Marlene van Niekerk, Die sneeuslaper |
| 2010 | Eben Venter | Santa Gamka | Abraham H. de Vries, Verbeel jou dis somer Louis Krüger, Wederkoms |
| 2009 | Etienne van Heerden | 30 Nagte in Amsterdam | Izak de Vries, Byna liefde Loftus Marais, Staan in die algemeen nader aan vensters |
| 2008 | Breyten Breytenbach | Die windvanger | Etienne van Heerden, Asbesmiddag Deon Meyer, Onsigbaar |
| 2007 | Ingrid Winterbach | Die boek van toeval en toeverlaat | Eben Venter, Horrelpoot Marlene van Niekerk, Memorandum |
| 2006 | Etienne van Heerden | In stede van die liefde | |
| 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 | |
| 1990 | T.T. Cloete | Driepas | |
| 1989 | Elsa Joubert | Missionaris | |
| 1988 | Ernst van Heerden | Amulet teen die vuur | |
| 1987 | Etienne van Heerden | Toorberg | |
| 1986 | T.T. Cloete | Allotroop | |
| 1985 | Karel Schoeman | 'n Ander land | |
| 1984 | Henriette Grové | Die kêrel van die Pêrel, of Anatomie van ’n leuenaar | |
| 1983 | Elisabeth Eybers | Bestand | |
| 1982 | Sheila Cussons | Die woedende brood | |
| 1981 | T.T. Cloete | Angelliera | |
| 1980 | D.J. Opperman | Komas uit ’n bamboesstok | |
| 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 | |
| 1972 | Sheila Cussons | Plektrum | |
| 1971 | | | |
| 1970 | P.G. du Plessis | Die nag van Legio | |
| 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 | |
| 1954 | G.H. Franz | Rabodutu | |
| 1954 | 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.
Winners of the Herman Charles Bosman Prize (1997–2020) :
| Year | Winner | Work | Shortlisted works |
| 2020 | Trevor Sacks | Lucky Packet | Finuala Dowling, Okay, Okay, Okay Ekow Duker, Yellowbone |
| 2019 | Niq Mhlongo | Soweto, Under the Apricot Tree | Cynthia Jele, The Ones with Purpose Kirsten Miller, The Hum of the Sun |
| 2018 | Ken Barris | The Life of Worm and Other Misconceptions | Michiel Heyns, I am Pandarus Qarnita Loxton, Being Kari |
| 2017 | No award | No award | |
| 2016 | Finuala Dowling | The Fetch | Athol Fugard and Paula Fourie, The Shadow of the Hummingbird |
| 2015 | Michiel Heyns | A Sportful Malice | Chris Karsten, Face-Off Zakes Mda, Rachel’s Blue |
| 2014 | Novuyo Rosa Tshuma | Shadows | Rachel Zadok, Sister-sister Margie Orford, Water Music |
| 2013 | Rustum Kozain | Groundwork | Ken Barris, Life Underwater Chris Wadman, The Unlikely Genius of Dr Cuthbert Kambazuma |
| 2012 | Michiel Heyns | Lost Ground | Margie Orford, Gallows Hill Finuala Dowling, Homemaking for the Down-at-Heart |
| 2011 | Sifiso Mzobe | Young Blood | Cynthia Jele, Happiness is a Four-Letter Word Zukiswa Wanner, Men of the South |
| 2010 | Sally-Ann Murray | Small Moving Parts | Yvette Christiansë, Imprendehora Maya Fowler, The Elephant in the Room |
| 2009 | Michiel Heyns | Bodies Politic | Breyten Breytenbach, Veil of Footsteps: Memoir of a Fictional Nomadic Character Finuala Dowling, Notes from the Dementia Ward |
| 2008 | No award | No award | Gail Dendy, The Lady Missionary (honourable mention) Niq Mhlongo, After Tears (honourable mention) Brent Meersman, Primary Coloured |
| 2007 | Maxine Case | All We Have Left Unsaid | Ken Barris, What Kind of Child |
| 2007 | Kgebetli Moele | Room 207 | Ken Barris, What Kind of Child |
| 2006 | Simão Kikamba | Going Home | |
| 2005 | Keorapetse Kgositsile | This Way I Salute You: Selected Poems | |
| 2004 | Rayda Jacobs | Confessions of a Gambler | |
| 2003 | Ingrid Fiske | Terrestrial Things: Poems | |
| 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.
Winners of the Recht Malan Prize (2003–2020) :
| Year | Winner | Work | Shortlisted works |
| 2020 | Jonny Steinberg | One Day in Bethlehem | Adam Habib, Rebels and Rage Michelle le Roux and Dennis Davis, Lawfare |
| 2019 | Rob Rose | Steinheist | Simone Haysom,The Last Words of Rowan du Preez Nathan Trantraal, Wit issie ’n colour nie |
| 2018 | Jacques Pauw | The President’s Keepers | Crispian Olver, How to Steal a City Redi Tlhabi, Khwezi |
| 2017 | Sean Christie | Under Nelson Mandela Boulevard | Daniel Browde, The Relatively Public Life of Jules Browde Kevin Bloom and Richard Poplak, Continental Shift |
| 2016 | Milton Shain | A Perfect Storm | Gavin Evans, Black Brain, White Brain Charles van Onselen, Showdown at the Red Lion |
| 2015 | Mark Gevisser | Lost and Found in Johannesburg | Edwin Cameron, Justice Jonny Steinberg, A Man of Good Hope |
| 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 |
| 2013 | Stephen Ellis | The External Mission | Xolela Mangcu, Biko: A Biography Beverley Naidoo, Death of an Idealist |
| 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 |
| 2011 | Bill Nasson | The War for South Africa | Antony Altbeker, Fruit of a Poisoned Tree Denis Beckett, Radical Middle |
| 2010 | Elsa Joubert | Reisiger | Liz McGregor and Sarah Nuttall (eds.), Load Shedding André P. Brink, ‘n Vurk in die pad Alf Kumalo and Tanya Farber, Through my Lens |
| 2009 | Tony Leon | On the Contrary | Julia Martin, A Millimetre of Dust |
| 2009 | Jonny Steinberg | Three-Letter Plague | Julia Martin, A Millimetre of Dust |
| 2008 | Mark Gevisser | Thabo Mbeki: The Dream Deferred | Andrew Feinstein, After the Party David Robbins, On the Bridge of Goodbye |
| 2007 | Leon Rousseau | Die groot avontuur | Mxolisi Mgxashe, Are You With Us? Sarah Nuttall (ed.), Beautiful Ugly |
| 2006 | Antony Altbeker | The Dirty Work of Democracy | |
| 2005 | Uma Dhupella-Mesthrie | Gandhi’s Prisoner? | |
| 2004 | Hermann Giliomee | The Afrikaners | |
| 2003 | Karel Schoeman | Die laaste Afrikaanse boek | |
| 2002 | Karel Schoeman | Die dogter van Sion | |

## 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.
Winners of the Elisabeth Eybers Prize (2014–2020) :
| Year | Winner | Work | Shortlisted works |
| 2020 | Loftus Marais | Jan, Piet, Koos and Jakob | Ronelda Kamfer, Chinatown Hennie Nortjé, Kryt Mongane Wally Serote, Sikhahlel’ u-OR |
| 2019 | Gabeba Baderoon | The History of Intimacy | Pieter Odendaal, Asof geen berge ooit hier gewoon het nie |
| 2018 | Marlene van Niekerk | In die stille agterkamer | Corné Coetzee, Nou, hier Jolyn Phillips, Radbraak Nathan Trantraal, Alles het niet kom wôd |
| 2017 | Bibi Slippers | Fotostaatmajien | Johann de Lange, ’n Hunkering se grein Ronelda S. Kamfer, Hammie |
| 2016 | Gilbert Gibson | Vry- | Daniel Hugo, Takelwerk Marlise Joubert, Bladspieël |
| 2015 | Antjie Krog | Mede-wete | T.T. Cloete, Karnaval en Lent Charl-Pierre Naudé, Al die lieflike dade |
| 2014 | Marlene van Niekerk | Kaar | Nathan Trantraal, Chockers en survivors Wilma Stockenstrom, Hierdie mens |

## 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. 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 |
| 2020 | Edyth Bulbring | The Choice Between Us |
| 2019 | S.A. Partridge | Mine |
| 2018 | Carin Krahtz | Blou is nie ’n kleur nie |
| 2017 | Edyth Bulbring | Snitch |
| 2016 | Carin Krahtz | Elton amper famous April en juffrou Brom |
| 2015 | Andre Eva Bosch | Alive Again |
| 2014 | S.A. Partridge | Sharp Edges |
| 2013 | Annelie Ferreira | Totsiens, Koning Arthur |
| 2012 | S.A. Partridge | Dark Poppy’s Demise |
| 2011 | Derick van der Walt | Willem Poprok |
| 2010 | Peter Dunseith | The Bird of Heaven |
| 2009 | Derick van der Walt | Lien se lankstaanskoene |
| 2008 | S.A. Partridge | The Goblet Club |
| 2007 | Jenny Robson | Praise Song |
| 2006 | Fanie Viljoen | Breinbliksem |
| 2005 | Anoeschka von Meck | Vaselinetjie |
| 2004 | Willem van der Walt | Ragtime en rocks |
| 2003 | Jackie Nagtegaal | Daar is 'n vis in die punch |
Winners of the MER Prize for Children's Books (2004–2020) :
| Year | Writer | Illustrator | Work |
| 2020 | Fanie Viljoen | Theodore Key | Die dag toe die draak kom: ’n Boek vir meisies Die hasie van fluweel |
| 2019 | Dihanna Taute | Theodore Key | Die legendariese Lua Verwey |
| 2018 | Rosamund Haden | Tony Pinchuck | The All Africa Wildlife Express |
| 2017 | Ingrid Mennen | Irene Berg | Ink |
| 2016 | Elizabeth Wasserman | Astrid Castle | Jannus en Kriek en die tydmasjien |
| 2015 | Fiona Moodie | Fiona Moodie | Noko and the Kool Kats |
| 2014 | Linda Rode | Johann Strauss | In die land van pamperlang |
| 2013 | Ingrid Mennen | Irene Berg | Ben en die walvisse |
| 2012 | Alex D’Angelo | Marjorie van Heerden | Goblin Diaries |
| 2011 | Wendy Hartmann | Joan Rankin | Just Sisi / Net Sisi |
| 2010 | Linda Rode | Fiona Moodie | In the Never-Ever Wood |
| 2009 | Mari Grobler | Elizabeth Pulles | Siyolo’s Jersey / Siyolo se trui |
| 2008 | Wendy Hartmann | Marjorie van Heerden | Nina and Little Duck |
| 2007 | Fanie Viljoen | Karl Stephan | Geraamte in die klas |
| 2006 | Marita van der Vyver | Piet Grobler | Mia se Ma |
| 2005 | Wynand Louw | Marjorie van Heerden | Mr Humperdinck’s Wonderful Whatsit |
| 2004 | Martie Preller | Vian Oelofsen | Ek is Simon |

## 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." 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. Since 2015, it has been awarded with the kykNET-Rapport Book Prizes, a group of Afrikaans literary awards.
Winners of the Jan Rabie Rapport Prize (2004–2021) :
| Year | Winner | Work |
| 2021 | Anton Roodt | Weerlose meganika |
| 2020 | | |
| 2019 | | |
| 2018 | | |
| 2017 | Valda Jansen | Hy kom met die skoenlappers |
| 2016 | | |
| 2015 | | |
| 2014 | Dominique Botha | Valsrivier |
| 2013 | M.S. Burger | Bloedfamilie |
| 2012 | S.J. Naudé | Alfabet van die voëls |
| 2011 | Deborah Steinmair | Marike se laaste dans |
| 2010 | Bettina Wyngaard | Troos vir die gebrokenes |
| 2009 | Karin Cronje | Alles mooi weer |
| 2008 | Willem Anker | Siegfried |
| 2007 | Johan Engelbrecht | Kaffertjie |
| 2006 | Marlize Hobbs | Flarde |
| 2005 | Anoeschka von Meck | Vaselinetjie |
| 2004 | Kleinboer | Kontrei |