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South African Literary Awards
Awarded for	Literary excellence
Country	South Africa
Reward(s)	R30 000
First awarded	2005; 19 years ago (2005)
Website	sala.org.za

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."" 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 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.

SALA was founded by, the wRite associates in partnership with the South African Department of Arts and Culture. Since 2012, the awards have been given at the annual Africa Century International Writers Conference. 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.

Poet Laureate Prizes※

National Poet Laureate Prize※

• Mazisi Kunene (2005-2006)
• Keorapetse Kgositsile (2006-2018)
• Mongane Wally Serote (2018-present)

Regional Poets Laureate Prize※

• Ronelda Kamfer, Afrikaans (2021)
• Themba Patrick Magaisa, Tsonga (2021)

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.

K. Sello Duiker Memorial Award※

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.

K. Sello Duiker Award Winners

Year	Winner	Work	Language	Ref.
2023	Dimakatso David Mokwena	Here Comes the Gay King	English
2022	Nick Mulgrew	A Hibiscus Coast	English
	Mzoli Mavimbela	Amazwembezwembe KaGxuluwe	Xhosa
2021	Karen Jennings	An Island	English
	Lihle Sokapase	Yapatyalaka ibhobhile	Xhosa
2020	Phumlani Pikoli	Born Free-Loaders	English
2019	Chase Rhys	Kinnes	Afrikaans
2018	No award
2017	Nthikeng Mohlele	Pleasure	English
2016	Willem Anker	Buys	Afrikaans
	Panashe Chigumadzi	Sweet Medicine	English
2015	Zukiswa Wanner	London Cape Town Joburg	English
2014	Jamala Safari	The Great Agony and Pure Laughter of the Gods	English
2013	Karen Jayes	For the Mercy of Water	English
2012	Sonja Loots	Sirkusboere	Afrikaans
	Diale Tlholwe	Counting the Coffins	English
	Nhlanhla Maake	Manong a lapile	Southern Sotho
2011	Dan Sleigh	Afstande	Afrikaans
	E.D.M. Sibiya	Ngiyolibala Ngifile	Zulu
2010	Motlatlhego Victor Molele	Mmaphefo le Maphefo	Sepedi
	Kgebetli Moele	The Book of the Dead	English
2009	Chris Marnewick	Shepherds and Butchers	English
	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

Nadine Gordimer Short Story Award※

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.

Nadine Gordimer Award Winners

Year	Winner	Work	Language	Ref.
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
	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

Novel Award※

Novel Award Winners

Year	Winner	Work	Language	Ref.
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

Creative Non-Fiction Award※

Creative Non-Fiction Award Winners (2012-2021)

Year	Winner	Work	Language	Ref.
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
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	'n Seun soos Bram	Afrikaans

First-Time Published Author Award※

The First-Time Published Author Award is open to works of all genres whose authors who have not been published before in any genre.

First-Time Author Award Winners (2009-2021)

Year	Winner	Work	Language	Ref.
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

Poetry Award※

Poetry Award Winners (2009-2021)

Year	Winner	Work	Language	Ref.
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

Children's Literature Award※

The Children's Literature Award recognises works of fiction for children by adult authors.

Children's Literature Award Winners (2018-2020)

Year	Winner	Work	Language	Ref.
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 nie Moenie hierdie boek eet nie	Afrikaans
	Marilyn Honikman	There Should Have Been Five	English

Youth Literature Award※

The Youth Literature Award recognises works of fiction written for readers aged 12 to 18.

Youth Literature Award Winners (2019-2021)

Year	Winner	Work	Language	Ref.
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

Literary Journalism Award※

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.

Journalism Award Winners (2009-2021)

Year	Winner	Language	Ref.
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
2013	No award
2012	Jenny Crwys-Williams	English
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

Literary Translators Award※

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.

Literary Translators Award Winners (2009-2021)

Year	Winner	Work	Language	Ref.
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
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

Posthumous Literary Award※

The Posthumous Literary Award is awarded on the basis of an author's "overall literary achievement."

Posthumous Award Winners (2006-2021)

Year	Winner	Language	Ref.
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
2016	T.T. Cloete	Afrikaans
	Chris van Wyk	English
2015	R.R.R. Dhlomo	English, Zulu
	H.I.E. Dhlomo	English
2014	Mbulelo Vizikhungo Mzamane	English
2013	No award
2012	No award
2011	Jan Rabie	Afrikaans
2010	Elizabeth Eybers	Afrikaans
	Stephen Bantu Biko	English
2009	Sol Plaatje	English
	Etienne Leroux	Afrikaans
	W.K. Tamsanqa	Xhosa
2008	Dora Taylor	English
	A.H.M. Scholtz	Afrikaans
	Sheila Cussons	Afrikaans
2007	Dalene Matthee	Afrikaans
	Sipho Sepamla	English
	Phaswane Mpe	English
2006	James Moiloa	Sotho
	Bessie Head	English
	Ingoapele Madingoane	English

Chairperson's Literary Award※

The Chairperson's Literary Award is awarded at the discretion of the Chairperson of the SALA Advisory Board.

Chairperson's Award Winners (2010-2021)

Year	Winner	Language	Ref.
2023	Elinor Sisulu
2022	Nokuthula Mazibuko Msimang
	Deela Khan
	Lebogang Mashil
2021	Ntogela Masilela	English
2020	Recius Melato Malope	Tswana
	Gubudla Aaron Malindzisa	Siswati
2019	Lindiwe Mabuza	English
2018	Peter Magubane	English
2017	Christian Themba Msimang	Zulu
2016	Gcina Mhlophe	English, Afrikaans, Zulu, Xhosa
2015	Peter T. Mtuze	English
2014	Zakes Mda	English
2013	No award
2012	B.W. Vilakazi	Zulu
2011	K.P.D. Maphalla	Sotho
	Nkadimeng Leutsoa	Sotho
2010	S.E.K. Mqhayi	Xhosa

Lifetime Achievement Literary Award※

The Lifetime Achievement Literary Award is awarded to authors over the age of 60 on the basis of their "overall literary achievement."

Lifetime Achievement Award Winners (2005-2021)

Year	Winner	Language	Ref.
2021	Lefifi Tladi	English
2020	No award
2019	Louise Smit	English, Afrikaans
	C.T.D. Marivate	Tsonga
2018	Hermann Giliomee	English, Afrikaans
	Ronnie Kasrils	English
2017	Credo Vusamazulu Mutwa	English
	Aletta Matshediso Motimele	Sepedi
	Etienne van Heerden	Afrikaans
2016	Ingrid Winterbach	Afrikaans
	Johan Lenake	Southern Sotho
2015	Antjie Krog	Afrikaans
	Achmat Dangor	English
2014	Nuruddin Farah	English
	Njabulo Ndebele	English
2013	P.G. du Plessis	Afrikaans
2012	Ndivhudzannyi Emelina Sigogo	Venda
2011	Chris Barnard	Afrikaans
2010	Mary Misaveni Mabuza	Tsonga
	Hennie Aucamp	Afrikaans
	Mandla Langa	English
	Zakes Mda	English
	Peter Horn	English
	Marguerite Poland	English
	David Robbins	English
2009	Abraham de Vries	Afrikaans
	Matthew J. Mngadi	Zulu
2008	D.M. Modise	Sotho
	W.M.R. Sigwavhulimu	Venda
	Elsa Joubert	Afrikaans
	Adam Small	Afrikaans
	Wilma Stockenström	Afrikaans
	Luli Callinicos	English
	Miriam Makeba	Swahili, Xhosa, Sotho
	Patrick Cullinan	English
2007	Mafika Gwala	English
	Max Makisi Marhanele	English
	Felix Thuketana	Tsonga
	Stephen Gray	English
	Gladys Thomas	English
	Ahmed Essop	English
	Mbuyiseni Mtshali	English
	Athol Fugard	English
	Mongane Serote	English
	Sindiwe Magona	Xhosa
2006	Ephraim Lesoro	Sotho
	Toek Blignaut	Afrikaans
	D.B.Z. Ntuli	Zulu
	Lauretta Ngcobo	Tsonga
	Ronnie Govender	English
	André Brink	English
	Peter Abrahams	English
	Lewis Nkosi	English
	Don Mattera	English
	Karel Schoeman	Afrikaans
2005	Es’kia Mphahlele	English
	Noni Jabavu	English
	Ellen Kuzwayo	English
	Nadine Gordimer	English
	Denis Brutus	English
	James Matthews	English
	T.N. Maumela	Venda
	Miriam Tlali	English
	E.S. Madima	Venda
	Modikwe Dikobe	English

References※