M-Net Literary Awards were a group of South African literary awards, awarded from 1991 to 2013. They were established and sponsored by M-Net (Electronic Media Network), a South African television station. The award was suspended indefinitely after the 2013 season.[1] In the awards' fourth year, an award for indigenous African languages was inaugurated, alongside the original English and Afrikaans awards, to encourage writing in indigenous languages.[2] In subsequent years there were six language categories, covering all eleven official South African languages: English; Afrikaans; Nguni (Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele, and Swati); SeSotho (Sotho, Pedi, and Tswana); TshiVenda; and SeTsonga. In 2005, a Film award was introduced, for novels that novels that showed promise for translation into a visual medium.[3] Three Lifetime Achievements Awards were also given: to Mazisi Kunene (2005), Cynthia Marivate (2006), and Mzilikazi Khumalo (2007).
| The M-Net Literary Awards | |
|---|---|
| Country | South Africa |
| Presented by | M-Net |
| Reward(s) | R50 000 |
| First awarded | 1991 |
| Last awarded | 20 September 2013 |
In their early years, the M-Net Awards were notable among South African literary awards for considering, under their judging criteria, not only literary merit but also "strong narrative content" and "accessibility to a broad reading public."[4][5] They were also, in the 1990s, the best remunerated literary awards in South Africa.[6] From 2011, winners received a prize of R50 000, up from R30,000 in previous years.[3]
Until 2010, the Awards were announced at the same event as the Via Afrika Awards (previously known as the Nasboek Literary Awards), which are ongoing as the Media24 Books Literary Awards.[7][8]
Award winners
edit| Year | Category | Winner | Work | Ref. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | English | Imraan Coovadia | The Institute for Taxi Poetry | [9][10] | Awarded 20 September in Johannesburg.[i]
Shortlisted in the English category were:
|
| Afrikaans | Ingrid Winterbach | Die aanspraak van lewende wesens | |||
| Nguni | July Innocent Mtsweni | Inzinto Zyaphenduka | |||
| M.J. Mngadi | Bayeza Abanqobi | ||||
| SeSotho | Sabata-Mpho Mokae | Ga Ke Modisa | |||
| SeTsonga | No award | ||||
| TshiVenda | N.M. Mphaphuli | Mbofho dza Malofha | |||
| Film | Sabata-Mpho Mokae | Ga Ke Modisa | |||
| Karin Brynard | Onse Vaders | ||||
| Debut | James Whyle | The Book of War | |||
| S.J. Gambu | Leqotjane | ||||
| 2012 | English | Finuala Dowling | Homemaking for the Down-at-Heart | [11][12] | Awarded in October in Johannesburg.
Shortlisted in the English category were:
|
| Afrikaans | Sonja Loots | Sirkusboere | |||
| Nguni | No award | ||||
| SeSotho | N.P. Maake | Manong a lapile | |||
| Herbert Lentsoane | Tšhweu ya ditsebe | ||||
| SeTsonga | No award | ||||
| TshiVenda | Takalani Mbedzi | Murunzi wa Vhutshilo | |||
| Film | Deon Meyer | 7 Dae | |||
| 2011 | English | Ivan Vladislavic | Double Negative | [3][13] | Awarded in June in Cape Town.
Shortlisted in the English category were:
|
| Afrikaans | Ingrid Winterbach | Die Benederyk | |||
| Nguni | Ncedile Saule | Inkululeko Isentabeni | |||
| SeSotho | K.J. Sekele | Lehutso | |||
| SeTsonga | No award | ||||
| TshiVenda | No award | ||||
| Film | Cynthia Jele | Happiness is a Four-Letter Word | |||
| 2010 | English | Sally-Ann Murray | Small Moving Parts | [14][15] | Awarded 31 July in Cape Town.[ii]
Shortlisted in the English category were:
|
| Afrikaans | Eben Venter | Santa Gamka | |||
| Nguni | Peter Mtuze | Iingada Zibuyile Endle | |||
| SeSotho | M.S. Machitela | Ga di Mphelele | |||
| SeTsonga | No award | ||||
| TshiVenda | No award | ||||
| Film | Karin Brynard | Plaasmoord | |||
| 2009 | English | Anne Landsman | The Rowing Lesson | [16] | Awarded 13 June in Cape Town. |
| Afrikaans | Etienne van Heerden | 30 Nagte in Amsterdam | |||
| Nguni | No award | ||||
| SeSotho | Mathethe Molope | Babuši ba Lehono | |||
| SeTsonga | No award | ||||
| TshiVenda | Tsireledzo Mushoma | Nne na inwi | |||
| Film | Deon Meyer | 13 Uuur | |||
| 2008 | English | J.M. Coetzee | Diary of a Bad Year | [17][18] | Awarded 15 June in Cape Town. Shortlisted in the English category were:
|
| Afrikaans | Etienne van Heerden | Asbesmiddag | |||
| Nguni | Phakamile Gongo | Ukutshona kweHotyazana | |||
| SeSotho | M.C. Mphahlele | Dilo tšela ke batho | |||
| SeTsonga | M.C. Lubisi | Xijahatana | |||
| TshiVenda | No award | ||||
| 2007 | English | Shaun Johnson | The Native Commissioner | [19][20][21][22] | Awarded 17 June in Cape Town.Shortlisted in the English category were:
|
| Afrikaans | Ingrid Winterbach | Die boek van toeval en toeverlaat | |||
| Nguni | Kula Siphatheleni | Elowo Nalawo | |||
| SeSotho | Kabelo Duncan Kgatea | Ntshware ka letsogo | |||
| SeTsonga | No award | ||||
| TshiVenda | No award | ||||
| Lifetime Achievement | Mzilikazi Khumalo | ||||
| 2006 | English | No award | [23] | Awarded at the Cape Town Book Fair.[iii] | |
| Afrikaans | André P. Brink | Bidsprinkaan | |||
| Marita van der Vyver | Bestemmings | ||||
| I.L. de Villiers | Jerusalem tot Johannesburg | ||||
| Nguni | Nelisile Thabisile Msimang | Umsebenzi Uyindlala | |||
| SeSotho | Mathediso Aletta Motimele | Ngwana wa Mpa | |||
| Goitsemodimo L. Mancho | Wetsho ke a go rata | ||||
| SeTsonga | S.J. Malungana | Swilo Swa Humelela | |||
| TshiVenda | No award | ||||
| Lifetime Achievement | Cynthia Marivate | ||||
| 2005 | English | [24][25] | |||
| Afrikaans | Marlene van Niekerk | Agaat | |||
| Anoeschka von Meck | Vaselinetjie | ||||
| Charl-Pierre Naudé | In die geheim van die dag | ||||
| Nguni | S.D. Khumalo | Isiqalo Esisha | |||
| C. Nyanda and J.J. Thwala | Intathakusa | ||||
| SeSotho | |||||
| SeTsonga | |||||
| TshiVenda | |||||
| Lifetime Achievement | Mazisi Kunene | ||||
| 2004 | English | [5] | |||
| Afrikaans | Dan Sleigh | Eilande | |||
| Nguni | M.J. Mngadi | Iziboshwa Zothando | |||
| SeSotho | No award | ||||
| SeTsonga | No award | ||||
| TshiVenda | No award | ||||
| 2003 | English | [26] | Awarded in Cape Town. | ||
| Afrikaans | |||||
| Nguni | Nakanjani G. Sibiya | Kuxolelwa abanjani? | |||
| SeSotho | |||||
| SeTsonga | |||||
| TshiVenda | Jemima L. Phaswana | Isha la mitodzi | |||
| 2002 | English | ||||
| Afrikaans | |||||
| Nguni | |||||
| SeSotho | |||||
| SeTsonga | |||||
| TshiVenda | |||||
| 2001 | English | Zoe Wicomb | David's Story | [27] | Shortlisted in the English category were:
|
| Afrikaans | Etienne van Heerden | Die swye van Mario Salviati | |||
| Nguni | M.J. Mngadi | Ifa Ngukufa | |||
| SeSotho | Kabelo Duncan Kgatea | Njeng manong fa ke sule! | |||
| SeTsonga | N. Phaswana | Tshi do Lilwa | |||
| TshiVenda | N.B. Mkhari | Mbilu ya Wanuna | |||
| 2000 | English | [2] | Shortlisted in the English category were:
| ||
| Afrikaans | |||||
| Nguni | J.J. Ncongwane | Loyishayile Sewuyosile | |||
| SeSotho | |||||
| SeTsonga | |||||
| TshiVenda | |||||
| 1999 | English | Mehlaleng Mosotho | The Tikeline Yuppie | [2][28] | |
| Afrikaans | Christoffel Coetzee | Op soek na General Mannetjies Mentz | |||
| Nguni | Livingstone Lubabalo Ngewu | Koda Kube nina na? | |||
| SeSotho | Lazarus M. Malebana | Hlabang tlou ka diloka | |||
| SeTsonga | Conny Masocha Lubisi | I Vutomi | |||
| TshiVenda | Sampson Nditsheni Mahamba | Magala a vhahali | |||
| 1998 | English | Ken Barris | The Jailer's Book | [6][28] | |
| Afrikaans | Piet van Rooyen | Die olifantjagters | |||
| Nguni | M.J. Mngadi | Ashiko ndawo bakithi | |||
| SeSotho | Peter Tseole | Kgori e bona lee | |||
| SeTsonga | Gertrude Siphiwe Shabangu | N'wananga | |||
| TshiVenda | Azwianewi Elvis Maisha | Mme a nndwa dzothe | |||
| 1997 | English | Zakes Mda | Ways of Dying | [2][6][28] | |
| Afrikaans | Karel Schoeman | Verkenning | |||
| Nguni | Ncedile Saule | Ukhozi Olumaphiko | |||
| SeSotho | Ramadimetja Ruth Phasha | Ke Sehlola | |||
| SeTsonga | Ndhuma Benneth Mkhari | Nkhavi wa le Ndzhaku | |||
| TshiVenda | James Mafela | Mudi Ndi Wanga | |||
| 1996 | English | Mark Behr | The Smell of Apples | [2] | |
| Afrikaans | A.H.M Scholtz | Vatmaar | |||
| Nguni | Rayman Fumanekile Mcimeli | Kazi ndenzeni na | |||
| SeSotho | Kgotso P.D. Maphalla | Bashemane ba Dibataolong | |||
| SeTsonga | N.R. Mgiba | Vutomi i Vhilwa | |||
| TshiVenda | Patrick Maanda Nefefe | Mato a penya mitodzi | |||
| 1995 | English | Dianne Hofmeyr | Boikie, You Better Believe It | [2] | |
| Afrikaans | Marlene van Niekerk | Triomf | |||
| Nguni | J.C. Buthelezi | Impi yabomdabu isethunjini | |||
| SeSotho | N.P. Maake | Kweetsa ya pelo ya motho | |||
| 1994 | English | Justin Cartwright | Masai Dreaming | [2] | |
| Afrikaans | Lettie Viljoen | Karolina Ferreira | |||
| Nguni | G.A. Malindzisa | Sihonga | |||
| SeSotho | N.P. Maake | Sejamonna ha se moto gete | |||
| S.A. Mamadi | Mahlagahlaga a Mafulang | ||||
| 1993 | English | John Eppel | D.G.G. Berry’s The Great North Road | [2] | |
| Afrikaans | Marita van der Vyver | Griet skryf ‘n sprokie | |||
| 1992 | English | Tony Spencer-Smith | The Man Who Snarled at Flowers | [2] | |
| Afrikaans | John Miles | Kroniek uit die doofpot | |||
| 1991 | English | Lesley Beake | A Cageful of Butterflies | [2] | |
| Afrikaans | Jeanne Goosen | Ons is nie almal so nie | |||
- ^ A debut award for debut works in any language was awarded for the first, and only, time.
- ^ The Awards were announced at a separate event to the Via Afrika Awards for the first time.
- ^ In 2005-6, each language category honoured works in different genres (short fiction, long fiction, and prose).
- ^ Shortlisted in the Afrikaans category were Boendoe by Chris Barnard, Buller se Plan by Ingrid Winterbach, Draaijakkals by George Weideman, Vos by Anna M. Louw and Wegkomkans by Marita van der Vyver; in the SeSotho category, Kodiyamalla by N.P. Maake, Lehlaba la lephako by T.W.D. Mohapi, and TsHwara thebe ka mallela by M.B. Tsolo; and in the Nguni category, Loyishayile Sewuyosile by J.J. Ncongwane.
References
edit- ^ "M-Net Literary Awards Suspended Indefinitely". Sunday Times Books. 6 January 2014. Archived from the original on 8 February 2014. Retrieved 8 February 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j De Waal, Shaun (17 March 2000). "A decade of prizes". The Mail & Guardian. Archived from the original on 2 August 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
- ^ a b c "The 2011 M-Net Literary Awards Winners" Archived 2 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine. Books LIVE. Retrieved 21 June 2011.
- ^ "Enter now for leading literary award". News24. 25 May 2001. Archived from the original on 14 November 2021. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
- ^ a b "2004 M-Net Book Prize". ArtSmart. 28 June 2004. Archived from the original on 14 November 2021. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
- ^ a b c Benson, Eugene; Conolly, L. W. (30 November 2004). Encyclopedia of Post-Colonial Literatures in English. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-134-46847-8.
- ^ "The 2010 M-Net Literary Awards Winners" Archived 3 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Sunday Times Books. Retrieved June 09, 2013.
- ^ "M-Net Book Prize". ArtSmart. 22 January 2003. Archived from the original on 14 November 2021. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
- ^ Carolyn (20 September 2013). "The 2013 M-Net Literary Awards Winners". Books LIVE. Archived from the original on 24 September 2013. Retrieved 21 September 2013.
- ^ "Lowe CT's Alistair Morgan Shortlisted for M-Net Literary Awards". The Sucker Punch by MullenLowe South Africa. 2 September 2013. Archived from the original on 8 December 2023. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
- ^ Carolyn (19 October 2012). "The 2012 M-Net Literary Awards Winners". Books LIVE. Archived from the original on 26 October 2012. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
- ^ "Shortlists Announced for 2012 M-Net Literary Awards". Sunday Times Books. 12 September 2012. Archived from the original on 12 January 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
- ^ "The 2011 M-Net Literary and Film Awards Shortlists". Sunday Times Books. 9 June 2011. Archived from the original on 26 September 2020. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
- ^ "The 2010 M-Net Literary Awards Winners" Archived 3 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Books LIVE. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
- ^ "The 2010 M-Net Literary Awards Shortlists". Sunday Times Books. 24 June 2010. Archived from the original on 24 September 2020. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
- ^ "2009 M-Net Literary Award Winners" Archived 26 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Books LIVE. Retrieved 6 June 2013.
- ^ "A stunted af(fair)". The Mail & Guardian. 25 June 2008. Archived from the original on 19 August 2022. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- ^ "Notes and news". African Book Publishing Record. 34 (3): 183–185. 1 September 2008. doi:10.1515/abpr.2008.007. ISSN 1865-8717. Archived from the original on 14 November 2021. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
- ^ Rosenthal, Jane (21 June 2007). "M-Net Prize: Spoilt for choice". The Mail & Guardian. Archived from the original on 13 November 2021. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- ^ Accone, Darryl (25 May 2007). "Enemy or promise?". The Mail & Guardian. Archived from the original on 14 November 2021. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
- ^ "MNet Literary Awards Shortlists Announced". Sunday Times Books. 28 May 2007. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- ^ "Lifetime achievement for Prof Mzilikazi Khumalo". ArtSmart. 29 June 2007. Archived from the original on 7 May 2021. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
- ^ "Double makes trouble". The Mail & Guardian. 30 June 2006. Archived from the original on 13 November 2021. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
- ^ "Literary awards: an update" (PDF). Western Cape Government. 2005. Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 May 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2011.
- ^ "M-Net Literary Awards 2005". ArtSmart. 28 June 2005. Archived from the original on 14 November 2021. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
- ^ "Young author wins prestigious prize". ArtSmart. 20 July 2003. Archived from the original on 7 May 2021. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
- ^ De Waal, Shaun (1 November 2001). "Wicomb takes M-Net prize". The Mail & Guardian. Archived from the original on 14 November 2021. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
- ^ a b c Graan, Mike Van; Ballantyne, Tammy (2002). The South African Handbook on Arts and Culture 2002/2003. David Philip. ISBN 978-0-86486-506-9.
External links
edit- M-Net Literary Awards, African Book Awards Database, Indiana University