| South African Literary Awards | |
| Awarded For: | Literary excellence |
| Country: | South Africa |
| Reward: | R30 000 |
The South African Literary Awards (SALA) have been awarded annually since 2005 to exceptional South African writers. They "pay tribute to South African writers who have distinguished themselves as ground-breaking producers and creators of literature" and celebrate "literary excellence in the depiction and sharing of South Africa’s histories, value systems, philosophies and art."[1] The Awards are open to work in all of South Africa's eleven official languages, and they may include posthumous honours.
Since 2005, the number of awards has multiplied — there are now fourteen categories, recognising a variety of literary forms. There are categories for children’s literature, youth literature, literary journalism, novels, poetry, creative non-fiction, debut works, and literary translation; and two named awards, the K. Sello Duiker Memorial Award (for novelists under the age of 40) and the Nadine Gordimer Short Story Award. Lifetime achievement is recognised in the Poet Laureate Prizes and the Lifetime Achievement, Posthumous, and Chairperson’s Awards.[2]
SALA was founded by the wRite associates in partnership with the South African Department of Arts and Culture.[3] Since 2012, the awards have been given at the annual Africa Century International Writers Conference.[4] The inaugural conference was hosted by the University of the Free State in 2012, supported by the SABC. As of 2021, the winner in each category received R30 000, and the National Poet Laureate received R100 000.
The Regional Poet Laureate Prize was awarded for the first time in 2021. The prize is intended to guide the selection of future National Poet Laureates.
The K. Sello Duiker Memorial Award, named for the South African novelist K. Sello Duiker, recognises novels and novellas by authors under the age of 40. The age limitation was not in place in the Award’s early years.
| 2023 | Dimakatso David Mokwena | Here Comes the Gay King | English | [8] | |
| 2022 | Nick Mulgrew | A Hibiscus Coast | English | [9] | |
| Mzoli Mavimbela | Amazwembezwembe KaGxuluwe | Xhosa | |||
| 2021 | Karen Jennings | An Island | English | [10] | |
| Lihle Sokapase | Yapatyalaka ibhobhile | Xhosa | |||
| 2020 | Born Free-Loaders | English | [11] | ||
| 2019 | Chase Rhys | Kinnes | Afrikaans | [12] | |
| 2018 | No award | [13] | |||
| 2017 | Nthikeng Mohlele | Pleasure | English | [14] | |
| 2016 | Willem Anker | Buys | Afrikaans | [15] | |
| Panashe Chigumadzi | Sweet Medicine | English | |||
| 2015 | Zukiswa Wanner | London Cape Town Joburg | English | [16] | |
| 2014 | Jamala Safari | The Great Agony and Pure Laughter of the Gods | English | [17] | |
| 2013 | Karen Jayes | For the Mercy of Water | English | [18] | |
| 2012 | Sonja Loots | Sirkusboere | Afrikaans | [19] | |
| Diale Tlholwe | Counting the Coffins | English | |||
| Nhlanhla Maake | Manong a lapile | Southern Sotho | |||
| 2011 | Dan Sleigh | Afstande | Afrikaans | [20] | |
| E.D.M. Sibiya | Ngiyolibala Ngifile | Zulu | |||
| 2010 | Motlatlhego Victor Molele | Mmaphefo le Maphefo | Sepedi | [21] | |
| Kgebetli Moele | The Book of the Dead | English | |||
| 2009 | Chris Marnewick | Shepherds and Butchers | English | [22] [23] | |
| H.R. Tshianane | Vhuanzwo | Venda | |||
| Kabelo D. Kgatea | Monwana wa Bosupa | Tswana | |||
| Siphatheleni Kula | Inkawu idliw’ ilila | Xhosa | |||
| 2008 | Njabulo Ndebele | Fine Lines from the Box: Further Thoughts about Our Country | English | ||
| 2007 | Bruce Mikhomazi Ngobeni | Body of work | Tsonga | [24] | |
The Nadine Gordimer Short Story Award, named for the South African novelist and short story writer Nadine Gordimer, recognises short story collections by a single author.
| 2023 | Terry-Ann Adams | White Chalk | English | ||
| 2022 | Mzoli Mavimbela | Zigqitywa Kuhlwile Zibonwe Liwuhlabile | Xhosa | ||
| S. J. Naudé | Mad Honey | English | |||
| 2021 | Nankanjani Sibiya | The Reluctant Storyteller: A Collection of Stories | English | ||
| Madoda Ndlakuse | Mhla Latsh’ibhayi | Xhosa | |||
| 2020 | Fred Khumalo | Talk of The Town | English | ||
| 2019 | Niq Mhlongo | Soweto, Under the Apricot Tree | English | ||
| 2018 | Nick Mulgrew | The First Law of Sadness | English | [25] | |
| Nicole Jaekel Strauss | As in die mond | Afrikaans | |||
| 2017 | Roela Hattingh | Kamee | Afrikaans | ||
| 2016 | Sandra Hill | Unsettled and Other Stories | English | ||
| 2015 | Abraham H. de Vries | Maar wie snoei die rose in die nag? | Afrikaans | ||
| 2014 | Makhosazana Xaba | Running and Other Stories | English | ||
| Reneilwe Malatji | Love, Interrupted | English | |||
| 2013 | Etienne van Heerden | Haai Karoo | Afrikaans | ||
| 2012 | No award | ||||
| 2011 | No award | ||||
| 2010 | Mary Misaveni Mabuza | Khuluka na Ritavi | Tsonga | ||
| BIshop M.T. Makobe | Nkune se, Mphe se! | Sepedi | |||
| 2009 | J.J. Ncongwane | Tikhatsi Letimatima | Swati | ||
| 2008 | No award | ||||
| 2007 | Otty E.H.M Nxumalo | Body of work | Zulu | [26] | |
| 2023 | Thivhusiwi Tshindane Tshivhula | Hone Hu Tshi Tea U Maliwa Ngavhugai | |||
| 2022 | Damon Galgut | The Promise | English | ||
| Ingrid Winterbach | Voorouer. Pelgrim. Berg | Afrikaans | |||
| Yamkela Ntwalanao | Intlungu Yevezandlebe | Xhosa | |||
| Patrick Khosa | Nhlokonho wa vele | Xitsonga | |||
| 2021 | Ezra Mcebisi Nkohla | Zajik 'izinto | Xhosa | ||
| Fred Khumalo | Ngenxa yemendi | Xhosa | |||
| 2020 | Fiona Snyckers | Lacuna | English | ||
| 2019 | Charl-Pierre Naudé | Die ongelooflike onskuld van Dirkie Verwey | Afrikaans | ||
| Sabata-Mpho Mokae | Moletlo wa Manong | Setswana | |||
| 2018 | Dan Sleigh | 1795 | Afrikaans |
| 2023 | Mandla J. Radebe | The Lost Prince of the ANC: The Life and Times of Jabulani Nobleman 'Mzala' Nxumalo | English | |
| 2022 | Ebrahim Harvey | The Great Pretenders: Race and Class Under ANC Rule | English | |
| Nicol Stassen | Van Humpata tot Upingtonia | Afrikaans | ||
| 2021 | Mzoli Mavimbela | Masibuyel’embo Konakele Phi Na? | Xhosa | |
| Sabata-Mpho Mokae and Brian Willan | Sol Plaatje: A Life in Letters | English | ||
| 2020 | Toni Strasburg | Holding the Fort | English | |
| 2019 | Jonathan Jansen | As by Fire: The End of the South African University | English | |
| 2018 | Jürgen Schadenberg | The Way I See It | English | |
| 2017 | Dikgang Moseneke | My Own Liberator | English | |
| 2016 | Jacob Dlamini | Askari: A Story of Collaboration and Betrayal in the Anti-Apartheid Struggle | English | [27] |
| 2015 | Edwin Cameron | Justice: A Personal Account | English | |
| 2014 | Sihle Khumalo | Almost Sleeping My Way to Timbuktu | English | |
| 2013 | Imraan Coovadia | Transformations: Essays | English | |
| 2012 | McIntosh Polela | My Father My Monster | English | |
| Hannes Haasbroek | Afrikaans |
The First-Time Published Author Award is open to works of all genres whose authors who have not been published before in any genre.
| 2021 | Reŝoketŝwe Manenzhe | Scatterlings | English | ||
| Lynthia Julius | Uit die kroes | Afrikaans | |||
| 2020 | Trevor Sacks | Lucky Packet | English | ||
| Lize Albertyn-du Toit | Die kinders van spookwerwe | Afrikaans | |||
| 2019 | Bongani Ngqulunga | The Man Who Founded the ANC: A Biography of Pixley Ka Isaka Seme | English | ||
| 2018 | Malebo Sephodi | Miss Behave | English | ||
| 2017 | Moses Shimo Seletisha | Tšhutšhumakgala | Sepedi | ||
| 2016 | Francois Smith | Kamphoer | Afrikaans | ||
| 2015 | Carol Campbell | My Children Have Faces | English | ||
| 2014 | Claire Robertson | The Spiral House | English | ||
| 2013 | Ashraf Kagee | Khalil’s Journey | English | ||
| 2012 | Yewande Omotoso | Bom Boy | English | ||
| S.J. Naudé | Alfabet van die voëls | Afrikaans | |||
| 2011 | Sifiso Mzobe | Young Blood | English | ||
| 2010 | Alistair Morgan | Sleeper’s Wake | English | ||
| 2009 | Diale Tlholwe | Ancient Rites | English |
| 2021 | Johann de Lange | Die meeste sterre is lankal dood | Afrikaans | |
| Ayanda Billie | KwaNobuhle Overcast | English | ||
| Babalwa Fatyi | Hlahl’indlela Nohombile | Xhosa | ||
| Kgwadi Kgwadi | Ithuteng Mogolokwane | Tswana | ||
| Nndanduleni Mulaudzi | Khonadzeo | Venda | ||
| Tshepiso Makgoloane | Tša maAfrika | Sepedi | ||
| 2020 | Marlise Joubert | Grondwater | Afrikaans | |
| Musawenkosi Khanyile | All the Places | English | ||
| 2019 | Tony Ullyattfor | An Unobtrusive Vice | English | |
| Nathan Trantraal | Alles het niet kom wôd | Afrikaans | ||
| Ayanda Billie | Umhlaba umanzi | Xhosa | ||
| 2018 | Kelwyn Sole | Walking, Falling | English | |
| 2017 | Simphiwe Ali Nolutshungu | Iingcango Zentliziyo | Xhosa | |
| Helen Moffett | Prunings | English | ||
| 2016 | Gilbert Gibson | Vry | Afrikaans | |
| Arja Salafranca | Beyond Touch | English | ||
| 2015 | Charl-Pierre Naude | Al die lieflike dade | Afrikaans | |
| Mangaliso Buzani | Ndisabhala Imibongo | Xhosa | ||
| Bishop M.T. Makobe | Tsa Ngweding wa Letopanta | Sepedi | ||
| 2014 | Thandi Sliepen | The Turtle Dove Told Me | English | |
| Themba Patrick Magaisa | Mihloti ya Tingana | Tsonga | ||
| 2013 | Petra Muller | Om die gedagte van geel | Afrikaans | |
| 2012 | Ingrid de Kok | Other Signs | English | |
| Johann Lodewyk Marais | Diorama | Afrikaans | ||
| 2011 | Phillippa Yaa de Villiers | The Everyday Wife | English | |
| 2010 | BIshop M.T. Makobe | Kekeretsane tsa bokgwalwe/Hlaa tsa tokologo | Sepedi | |
| Danie Marais | Al is die maan ‘n misverstand | Afrikaans | ||
| Kobus Moolman | Separating the Seas | English | ||
| 2009 | Loftus Marais | Staan in die algemeen nader aan vensters | Afrikaans | |
| Mxolisi Nyezwa | New Country | English |
The Children's Literature Award recognises works of fiction for children by adult authors.
| 2021 | Andre Trantaal | Keegan & Samier: die sokkerfiasko | Afrikaans | |
| 2020 | Niki Daly | It's Jamela! | English | |
| 2019 | Lebohang Masango | Mpumi’s Magic Beads | English | |
| 2018 | Jaco Jacobs | Daar's nie 'n krokodil in hierdie boek nieMoenie hierdie boek eet nie | Afrikaans | |
| Marilyn Honikman | There Should Have Been Five | English |
The Youth Literature Award recognises works of fiction written for readers aged 12 to 18.
| 2021 | Pamela Newham | The Boy and the Poacher’s Moon | English | ||
| Kobate John Sekele | Mararankodi mafelelo | Sepedi | |||
| Sipho R. Kekezwa | Ubomi, ungancama! | Xhosa | |||
| 2020 | Trevor Noah | Born A Crime Young Readers Edition | English | ||
| 2019 | Sally Partridge | Mine | English |
The Literary Journalism Award recognises those who, through print or electronic media, "have made a significant contribution to the promotion and development of South African literature through writing, commentating, advocating and critiquing." As of 2007, it was sponsored by the Sowetan and the SABC.
| 2021 | Jean Meiring | Afrikaans | |
| 2020 | Bongani Mavuso | Zulu | |
| 2019 | Jennifer Malec | English | |
| Wamuwi Mbao | English | ||
| 2018 | Sam Mathe | English | |
| 2017 | Don Makatile | English | |
| Phakama Mbonamb | English | ||
| 2016 | No award | ||
| 2015 | Michele Magwood | English | |
| 2014 | No award | [28] | |
| 2013 | No award | ||
| 2012 | Jenny Crwys-Williams | English | [29] |
| 2011 | Sabata-Mpho Mokae | English | |
| 2010 | Kevin Bloom | English | |
| 2009 | Karabo Kgoleng | English | |
| Maureen Isaacson | English | ||
| 2008 | No award | ||
| 2007 | Victor Dlamini | English | |
| Bongani Madondo | English | ||
The Literary Translators Award is open to South African literary works, or literary works translated by a South African, of any genre. It was awarded for the first time in 2008.[30]
| 2021 | Jeff Opland and Peter T. Mtuze | Iimbali Zamandulo (1838-1910) | Xhosa to English | ||
| 2020 | Refiloe Moahluli | YHEKE YANGA! Umdlali ka3 Toti uba yintshatsheli yeqakamba | English to Xhosa | ||
| 2019 | Michiel Heyns | Red Dog (Buys by Willem Anker) | Afrikaans to English | ||
| 2018 | Peter T. Mtuze and Jeff Opland | Umoya Wembongi: Collected Poems 1922-1935 (by John Solilo)Iziganeko Zesizwe: Occasional Poems 1900-1943 (by S.E.K. Mqhay) | Xhosa to English | ||
| 2017 | Bridget Theron-Bushell | The Thirstland Trek: 1874-1881 (by Nicol Stassen) | Afrikaans to English | ||
| Jeff Opland, Wandile Kuse and Pamela Maseko | Isizwe Esinembali: Xhosa Histories and Poetry 1873-1888 (by William Wellington Gqoba) | Xhosa to English | |||
| Jeff Opland and Pamela Maseko | Iimbali Zamanyange, Historical Poems (by D.L.P. Yali-Manisi) | Xhosa to English | |||
| 2016 | Leon de Kock and Karin Schimke | Flame in the Snow: The Love Letters of André Brink and Ingrid Jonker (by André Brink and Ingrid Jonker) | Afrikaans to English | ||
| 2015 | Karen Press | Synapse (Mede-wete by Antjie Krog) | Afrikaans to English | ||
| 2014 | Nhlanhla Maake | Malefane | Sesotho to English | ||
| 2013 | Nhlanhla Maake | Letter to My Sister (Mangolo a nnake) | Sesotho to English | ||
| 2012 | Francois Smith | David Kramer: ‘n biografie (by Dawid de Villiers and Mathilda Slabbert) | English to Afrikaans | ||
| 2011 | Leon de Kock | Intimately Absent (Intieme afwesige by Cas Vos) | Afrikaans to English | ||
| 2010 | No award | [31] | |||
| 2009 | Dirk Winterbach and Ingrid Winterbach | The Book of Happenstance (Die boek van toeval en toeverlaat by Ingrid Winterbach) | Afrikaans to English | ||
| 2008 | Chris van Wyk | A Place Called Vatmaar (Vatmaar by A.H.M. Scholtz) | Afrikaans to English | ||
The Posthumous Literary Award is awarded on the basis of an author's "overall literary achievement."
| 2023 | Seetsele Modiri Molema, Solomon Tshekisho Plaatje – Morata Baabo | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | Gisela Ullyatt, Die waarheid oor duiwe | Afrikaans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | No award | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | Makhokolotso Albertina Mokhomo | Sesotho | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | Cyril Lincoln Sibusiso Nyembezi | Zulu | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | Leon Roussow | Afrikaans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| S.M. Mofokeng | Sotho | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017 | |A!kunta, !Kabbo, ≠Kasin, Dia!kwain and |Han≠kass’o|ǀXam, !Xun||-| rowspan="2" |2016|T.T. Cloete|Afrikaans| rowspan="2" ||-|Chris van Wyk|English|-| rowspan="2" |2015|R.R.R. Dhlomo|English, Zulu| rowspan="2" ||-|H.I.E. Dhlomo|English|-|2014|Mbulelo Vizikhungo Mzamane|English||-|2013| colspan="2" |No award||-|2012| colspan="2" |No award||-|2011|Jan Rabie|Afrikaans||-| rowspan="2" |2010|Elizabeth Eybers|Afrikaans| rowspan="2" ||-|Stephen Bantu Biko|English|-| rowspan="3" |2009|Sol Plaatje|English| rowspan="3" ||-|Etienne Leroux|Afrikaans|-|W.K. Tamsanqa|Xhosa|-| rowspan="3" |2008|Dora Taylor|English| rowspan="3" ||-|A.H.M. Scholtz|Afrikaans|-|Sheila Cussons|Afrikaans|-| rowspan="3" |2007|Dalene Matthee|Afrikaans| rowspan="3" ||-|Sipho Sepamla|English|-|Phaswane Mpe |English|-| rowspan="3" |2006|James Moiloa|Sotho| rowspan="3" |[32] |-|Bessie Head|English|-|Ingoapele Madingoane|English|}Chairperson's Literary AwardThe Chairperson's Literary Award is awarded at the discretion of the Chairperson of the SALA Advisory Board.
Lifetime Achievement Literary AwardThe Lifetime Achievement Literary Award is awarded to authors over the age of 60 on the basis of their "overall literary achievement."
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