The Amstel Playwright of the Year Award, an independent non-governmental prize, was launched in South Africa in 1978. It recognised South African playwrights. The prize was awarded to many of South Africa's anti-apartheid playwrights.
The award was discontinued in 1994.National English Literary Museum, Grahamstown, South Africa
Award winners YearWinnerSpecial Merit Award 1978John Pank for Windmills of the Mind James Ambrose Brown for Time and the WoodZakes Mda for We Shall Sing for the Fatherland Michael Drin for Inquest on Gordon 1979Zakes Mda for The HillPaul Slabolepsky for Renovations Esther Flowers for The Libber-Rats Henry Rootenberg for Letters from Uncle Barny Pieter Scholtz for The Amazing Adventures of Tambootie 1980Henry Rootenberg for I Spy Pieter Scholtz for Mr Big Strikes Again Jill Fletcher for Paddy (music by John Aronowitz) Leon Hamman for Matter of Policy 1981Paul Slabolepszy for Saturday Night at the PalaceMichael Drin for Chad Willie Esterhuizen for Spaceships and Peanut Butter 1982Victor Gordon for The BrothersRoy Nieman for Na Verlange a die Woude van Veleer James Whyle for National Madness 1983Geraldine Aron for BrendaSheugnet Buys for Gutter Flowers Need Love Brendan Butler for Rehearsal in Progress Corlia Fourie for Moeders en Dogters 1984Michelle Du Toit for Ladies/Dames 1985Nicholas Haysom, Vanessa Cook and Danny Keoghfor The Native Who Caused All the Trouble 1986Clive Howard Morris for Maid in South Africa 1987Norman Coombes for A Snake in the Garden 1988Charles J. Fourie for Big Boys 1989Allan Jermieson for Disputed Barricades 1990Basil Lawrence for Modern Eating Habits 1991Ian Fraser for Heart like a Stomach 1992Charles J. Fourie for Vrygrond 1993Norman Coombes for Episodes in Light and Dark 1994John Tucker for Waiting for the Rain
Notes
References National English Literary Museum, Grahamstown, South Africa