Media24 Books Literary Awards

The Media24 Books 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, 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 were eligible, but it is now open to all presses within the Media24 stable. As of 2020, the award was worth R35 000.

Year	Winner	Work	Shortlisted works	Ref.
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.

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.

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
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, 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, 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.

Year	Winner	Work	Shortlisted works	Ref.
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 ages 0–8 and 8–16 respectively. The prize in the children's category is split between the author and the illustrator.

Year	Writer	Work	Ref.
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

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.

Year	Winner	Work	Ref.
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