The Olive Schreiner Prize has been awarded annually since 1961 to emerging writers in the field of drama, prose, or poetry. It is named after Olive Schreiner, the South African author and activist. It rewards promising novice work, by writers who are not yet regarded as "established" in the genre. It rotates annually among the genres of drama, prose, and poetry. The prize for each genre is therefore triennial, and is open to work published in the three years since it was last awarded.
The Prize was established in 1961 by the Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns (SAAWK), and was transferred to the English Academy of Southern Africa in 1972. The Prize was previously sponsored by Shell South Africa, and later by FNB, and under SAAWK was open only to works published in South Africa or Rhodesia by a writer from one of those countries. It is now open to works published in southern African countries by citizens of southern African countries generally. It is not highly remunerated – by 1987, it was worth only R500, and in 2010 was worth R5 000 – but is considered prestigious.
As of 2018, the Prize could not be awarded to the same writer more than twice. To date, this disqualifies only two writers: Rustum Kozain, who has won the poetry prize twice, and Zakes Mda, who has won for both drama and prose.
Prize winners
+Winners of the Olive Schreiner Prize (1961–2019)YearFormWinnerRef.2025PoetryStephen Symons The Algebra of Insignificance2022PoetryJacques CoetzeeAn Illuminated Darkness2020DramaNadia DavidsWhat Remains: A Play in One Act2019PoetryAllan Kolski HorwitzThe Colours of Our Flag2018ProseBronwyn Law-ViljoenThe PrintmakerElleke BoehmerThe Shouting in the Dark2017DramaNeil CoppenTin Bucket Drum2016PoetryNo award2015ProseImran GardaThe Thunder that RoarsJill NudelmanInheriting the Earth2014DramaPhillip M. DikotlaSkierlik2013PoetryRustum KozainGroundwork2012ProsePeter DunseithThe Bird of Heaven2011DramaNicholas SpagnolettiLondon RoadMike van GraanIago's Last Dance2010PoetryFinuala DowlingNotes from the Dementia Ward2009ProseMichael Cawood GreenFor The Sake of Silence2008DramaNo award2007PoetryRustum KozainThis Carting Life2006ProseJane TaylorOf Wild DogsRussel BrownleeGarden of the Plagues2005DramaJohn KaniNothing but the Truth2004PoetryIsobel DixonWeather Eye2003ProseHugh LewinBandiet out of Jail2002DramaXoli NormanHallelujah!2001PoetryMzi MaholaWhen Rains Come2000ProseAntjie KrogCountry of My Skull1999DramaMoira LovellBedtime Stories1998PoetryDan WylieThe Road Out1997ProseZakes MdaWays of Dying1996DramaZakes MdaThe Nun's Romantic Story1995PoetryAllan JamesMorning Near Genadendal1994ProseDeena PadayacheeWhat's Love Got to Do with It?1993DramaNo award1992PoetryTatamkulu AfrikaNine Lives1991ProseIvan VladislavicMissing Persons1990DramaNorman CoombeA Snake in the Garden1989PoetryKelwyn SoleBlood of Our Silence1988ProseJohn ConynghamThe Arrowing of the Cane1987DramaNo award1986PoetryLionel AbrahamsJournal of a New Man1985ProseMenan du PlessisA State of Fear1984DramaJunction Avenue Theatre CompanyRandlords and Rotgut1983PoetryChris MannNew Shades1982ProseRose ZwiAnother Year In Africa1981DramaNo award1980PoetryPatrick CullinanToday Is Not DifferentChris van WykIt Is Time to Go Home1979ProseAhmed EssopThe Hajji And Other Stories1978DramaJohn CundillRedundant & Waiting1977PoetryRobert GreigTalking Bull1976ProseSheila RobertsOutside Life's Feast1975DramaDouglas LivingstoneA Rhino For the Boardroom1974PoetryOswald MtshaliThe Sounds of a Cowhide Drum1973ProseSheila FugardThe Castaway1972DramaNo award1971PoetryElias PaterIn Praise of Night1970ProseNo award1969DramaNo award1968PoetrySydney CloutsOne Life1967ProseM. F. C. RoebuckNyitso1966DramaNo award1965PoetryNo award1964ProseAnna M. Louw20 Days That Autumn1963DramaH. W. D. MansonThe Noose-Knot Ballad1962ProseNo award1961PoetryF. D. SinclairHis work
References