The Media24 Books Literary Awards (known before 2011 as the Via Afrika Awards, and before that as the Nasboek Literary Awards) are a group of five South African literary prizes awarded annually by Media24, the print-media arm of the South African media company Naspers. They are open to authors whose books are published within the Media24 Books stable (previously known as the Via Afrika stable), which includes NB Publishers, Jonathan Ball Publishers, LuxVerbi-BM, NVA, and Van Schaik Publishers. Each award is worth R35 000. The awards comprise: The W.A. Hofmeyr Prize, a long-established prize for Afrikaans literature; The Herman Charles Bosman Prize for English literature; The Recht Malan Prize for non-fiction; The MER Prizes for illustrated children’s books and youth literature; The Elisabeth Eybers Prize for poetry. The Jan Rabie Rapport Prize, for debut works in Afrikaans, was awarded annually at the same awards ceremony as the Media24 prizes from 2004 to 2014, but was open to all South African publishers. The M-Net Literary Awards were also awarded at the same ceremony until 2010.
The 2020 awards were heavily criticised for their lack of diversity. The winners included six white males and one white female, while the 18 judges included of only two people of colour.
W.A. Hofmeyr Prize The W.A. Hofmeyr Prize is awarded annually for literary excellence in drama, poetry and prose that could "shift the boundaries of Afrikaans literature." It was instituted in 1954 by Nasionale Pers in honour of Afrikaans businessman W.A. Hofmeyr, a former chairman of the company. Originally only books published by Nasionale Boekhandel (NB Publishers) were eligible, but it is now open to all presses within the Media24 stable. As of 2020, the award was worth R35 000.
+Winners (1954-2021)YearWinnerWorkShortlisted worksRef.2020Zirk van den BergEk wens, ek wens Kerneels Breytenbach, Hond se gedagte Etienne van Heerden, Die biblioteek aan die einde van die wêreld2019Lodewyk G. du PlessisDie dao van Daan van der Walt Ingrid Winterbach, Die troebel tyd Charl-Pierre Naudé, Die ongelooflike onskuld van Dirkie Verwey2018Eben VenterGroen soos die hemel daarbo Etienne Van Heerden, Die wêreld van Charlie Oeng Nicole Jaekel Strauss, As in die mond2017Dan Sleigh1795 Ryk Hattingh, Huilboek John Miles, Op ’n dag, ’n hond 2016Ingrid WinterbachVlakwater Lien Botha, Wonderboom Alexander Strachan, Brandwaterkom 2015Willem AnkerBuys: 'n grensroman Kerneels Breytenbach, Ester
Harry Kalmer, 'n Duisend stories oor Johannesburg
Francois Smith, Kamphoer 2014Etienne van HeerdenKlimtol Kerneels Breytenbach and Deon Opperman, Donkerland Eben Venter, Wolf, wolf 2013Ingrid WinterbachDie aanspraak van lewende wesens Petra Muller, Om die gedagte van geel Johann de Lange, Vaarwel, my effens bevlekte held2012Dan SleighWals met Mathilda T.T. Cloete, Onversadig Sonja Loots, Sirkusboere2011Alexander StrachanDwaalpoort Ingrid Winterbach, Die benederyk
Marlene van Niekerk, Die sneeuslaper2010Eben VenterSanta Gamka Abraham H. de Vries, Verbeel jou dis somer Louis Krüger, Wederkoms2009Etienne van Heerden30 Nagte in Amsterdam Izak de Vries, Byna liefde Loftus Marais, Staan in die algemeen nader aan vensters2008Breyten BreytenbachDie windvanger Etienne van Heerden, Asbesmiddag Deon Meyer, Onsigbaar2007Ingrid WinterbachDie boek van toeval en toeverlaat Eben Venter, Horrelpoot Marlene van Niekerk, Memorandum2006Etienne van HeerdenIn stede van die liefde2005Marlene van NiekerkAgaat2004Eben VenterBegeerte2003Dan SleighEilande2002Karel SchoemanArmosyn van die Kaap2001Dine van ZylSlagoffers2000Ingrid WinterbachBuller se plan1999André P. BrinkDuiwelskloof1998George WeidemanDie onderskepper1997Eben VenterEk stamel, ek sterwe1996Elsa JoubertDie reise van Isobelle1995Alexander StrachanDie werfbobbejaan1994Eben VenterFoxtrot van die vleiseters19931992Chris Barnard Moerland1991Sheila CussonsDie knetterende woord1990T.T. CloeteDriepas1989Elsa JoubertMissionaris1988Ernst van HeerdenAmulet teen die vuur1987Etienne van HeerdenToorberg1986T.T. CloeteAllotroop1985Karel Schoeman'n Ander land1984Henriette GrovéDie kêrel van die Pêrel, of Anatomie van ’n leuenaar1983Elisabeth EybersBestand1982Sheila CussonsDie woedende brood1981T.T. CloeteAngelliera1980D.J. OppermanKomas uit ’n bamboesstok1979Elsa JoubertDie swerfjare van Poppie Nongena197819771976Freda LindeDie singende gras1975Ernst van HeerdenTeenstrydige liedere1974Chris BarnardMahala1973P.G. du PlessisSiener in die suburbs1972Sheila CussonsPlektrum19711970P.G. du PlessisDie nag van Legio19691968M.M. WaltersCabala1967Linda Joubert Jaarringe1966D.J. OppermanDolosse1965Audrey BlignaultMet ligter tred196419631962196119601959195819571956D.J. OppermanBlom en baaierd1955MikroDie porseleinkat1954G.H. FranzRabodutuD.J. OppermanPeriandros van Korinthe
Herman Charles Bosman Prize The Herman Charles Bosman Prize, named for South African short-story writer Herman Charles Bosman, recognises excellence in English literary writing, including autobiography, in South Africa. +Winners of the Herman Charles Bosman Prize (1997–2020)YearWinnerWorkShortlisted worksRef.2020Trevor SacksLucky Packet Finuala Dowling, Okay, Okay, Okay Ekow Duker, Yellowbone2019Niq MhlongoSoweto, Under the Apricot Tree Cynthia Jele, The Ones with Purpose Kirsten Miller, The Hum of the Sun 2018Ken BarrisThe Life of Worm and Other Misconceptions Michiel Heyns, I am Pandarus Qarnita Loxton, Being Kari2017No award2016Finuala DowlingThe Fetch Athol Fugard and Paula Fourie, The Shadow of the Hummingbird2015Michiel HeynsA Sportful Malice Chris Karsten, Face-Off Zakes Mda, Rachel’s Blue2014Novuyo Rosa TshumaShadows Rachel Zadok, Sister-sister Margie Orford, Water Music2013Rustum KozainGroundwork Ken Barris, Life Underwater Chris Wadman, The Unlikely Genius of Dr Cuthbert Kambazuma2012Michiel HeynsLost Ground Margie Orford, Gallows Hill Finuala Dowling, Homemaking for the Down-at-Heart2011Sifiso MzobeYoung Blood Cynthia Jele, Happiness is a Four-Letter Word
Zukiswa Wanner, Men of the South 2010Sally-Ann MurraySmall Moving Parts Yvette Christiansë, Imprendehora Maya Fowler, The Elephant in the Room2009Michiel HeynsBodies Politic Breyten Breytenbach, Veil of Footsteps: Memoir of a Fictional Nomadic Character Finuala Dowling, Notes from the Dementia Ward 2008No awardGail Dendy, The Lady Missionary (honourable mention) Niq Mhlongo, After Tears (honourable mention) Brent Meersman, Primary Coloured2007Maxine CaseAll We Have Left Unsaid Ken Barris, What Kind of ChildKgebetli MoeleRoom 2072006Simão KikambaGoing Home2005Keorapetse KgositsileThis Way I Salute You: Selected Poems2004Rayda JacobsConfessions of a Gambler2003Ingrid FiskeTerrestrial Things: Poems2002K. Sello DuikerThe Quiet Violence of Dreams2001Willemien Le RouxShadow Bird2000Peter Rudolf Gisela HornMy Voice is Under Control Now19991998Achmat DangorKafka's Curse: A Novella & Three Other Stories1997Rayda JacobsEyes of the Sky
Recht Malan Prize The Recht Malan Prize recognises excellent non-fiction or non-literary books in English or Afrikaans, aiming to promote quality of writing, depth of research, and originality of approach. It was first awarded in 1978. +Winners of the Recht Malan Prize (2003–2020)YearWinnerWorkShortlisted worksRef.2020Jonny SteinbergOne Day in Bethlehem Adam Habib, Rebels and Rage Michelle le Roux and Dennis Davis, Lawfare2019Rob RoseSteinheist Simone Haysom,The Last Words of Rowan du Preez Nathan Trantraal, Wit issie ’n colour nie2018Jacques PauwThe President’s Keepers Crispian Olver, How to Steal a City Redi Tlhabi, Khwezi2017Sean ChristieUnder Nelson Mandela Boulevard Daniel Browde, The Relatively Public Life of Jules Browde Kevin Bloom and Richard Poplak, Continental Shift2016Milton ShainA Perfect Storm Gavin Evans, Black Brain, White Brain Charles van Onselen, Showdown at the Red Lion2015Mark GevisserLost and Found in Johannesburg Edwin Cameron, Justice Jonny Steinberg, A Man of Good Hope2014Irina Filatova and Apollon DavidsonThe Hidden Thread Graham Linscott, Into the River of Life Bill Nasson and Albert Grundlingh, The War at Home / Die oorlog kom huis toe2013Stephen EllisThe External Mission Xolela Mangcu, Biko: A Biography Beverley Naidoo, Death of an Idealist 2012Anton HarberDiepsloot Dawid de Villiers and Mathilda Slabbert, David Kramer: A Biography Paul Holden and Hennie van Vuuren, The Devil in the Detail2011Bill NassonThe War for South Africa Antony Altbeker, Fruit of a Poisoned Tree Denis Beckett, Radical Middle2010Elsa JoubertReisiger Liz McGregor and Sarah Nuttall (eds.), Load Shedding André P. Brink, ‘n Vurk in die pad Alf Kumalo and Tanya Farber, Through my Lens2009Tony LeonOn the Contrary Julia Martin, A Millimetre of DustJonny SteinbergThree-Letter Plague2008Mark GevisserThabo Mbeki: The Dream Deferred Andrew Feinstein, After the Party David Robbins, On the Bridge of Goodbye2007Leon RousseauDie groot avontuur Mxolisi Mgxashe, Are You With Us? Sarah Nuttall (ed.), Beautiful Ugly2006Antony AltbekerThe Dirty Work of Democracy2005Uma Dhupella-MesthrieGandhi’s Prisoner?2004Hermann GiliomeeThe Afrikaners2003Karel SchoemanDie laaste Afrikaanse boek2002Karel SchoemanDie dogter van Sion
Elisabeth Eybers Prize The Elisabeth Eybers Prize, named for Afrikaans poet Elisabeth Eybers, recognises poetry in English and Afrikaans. It aims to reward "excellence and innovation" in poetry, and was awarded for the first time in 2014. +Winners of the Elisabeth Eybers Prize (2014–2020)YearWinnerWorkShortlisted worksRef.2020Loftus MaraisJan, Piet, Koos and Jakob Ronelda Kamfer, Chinatown Hennie Nortjé, Kryt Mongane Wally Serote, Sikhahlel’ u-OR2019Gabeba BaderoonThe History of Intimacy Pieter Odendaal, Asof geen berge ooit hier gewoon het nie2018Marlene van NiekerkIn die stille agterkamer Corné Coetzee, Nou, hier Jolyn Phillips, Radbraak Nathan Trantraal, Alles het niet kom wôd2017Bibi SlippersFotostaatmajien Johann de Lange, ’n Hunkering se grein Ronelda S. Kamfer, Hammie 2016Gilbert GibsonVry- Daniel Hugo, Takelwerk Marlise Joubert, Bladspieël2015Antjie KrogMede-wete T.T. Cloete, Karnaval en Lent
Charl-Pierre Naudé, Al die lieflike dade2014Marlene van NiekerkKaar Nathan Trantraal, Chockers en survivors Wilma Stockenstrom, Hierdie mens
MER Prizes The MER Prizes, named after Afrikaans children's author Mimie E. Rothmann, are longstanding awards which recognise illustrated children's books and youth literature, aimed at (but not exclusively for) ages 0–8 and 8–16 respectively. The prize in the children's category is split between the author and the illustrator. +Winners of the MER Prize for Youth Literature (2003–2020)YearWriterWorkRef.2020Edyth BulbringThe Choice Between Us2019S.A. PartridgeMine2018Carin KrahtzBlou is nie ’n kleur nie2017Edyth BulbringSnitch2016Carin KrahtzElton amper famous April en juffrou Brom2015Andre Eva BoschAlive Again2014S.A. PartridgeSharp Edges 2013Annelie FerreiraTotsiens, Koning Arthur2012S.A. PartridgeDark Poppy’s Demise 2011Derick van der WaltWillem Poprok2010Peter DunseithThe Bird of Heaven2009Derick van der WaltLien se lankstaanskoene2008S.A. PartridgeThe Goblet Club2007Jenny RobsonPraise Song2006Fanie ViljoenBreinbliksem2005Anoeschka von MeckVaselinetjie2004Willem van der WaltRagtime en rocks2003Jackie NagtegaalDaar is 'n vis in die punch +Winners of the MER Prize for Children's Books (2004–2020)YearWriterIllustratorWorkRef.2020Fanie ViljoenTheodore KeyDie dag toe die draak kom: ’n Boek vir meisies