The South African Literary Awards (SALA) have been awarded annually since 2005 to exceptional South African writers. Founded by the wRiteassociates, in partnership with the national Department of Arts and Culture (DAC), the awards "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 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.
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 WinnersYearWinnerWorkLanguageRef.2024Sihle QwabeThe ResurrectionEnglish2023Dimakatso David MokwenaHere Comes the Gay KingEnglish2022Nick MulgrewA Hibiscus CoastEnglishMzoli MavimbelaAmazwembezwembe KaGxuluweXhosa2021Karen JenningsAn IslandEnglishLihle SokapaseYapatyalaka ibhobhileXhosa2020Phumlani Pikoli Born Free-LoadersEnglish2019Chase RhysKinnesAfrikaans2018No award2017Nthikeng MohlelePleasureEnglish2016Willem AnkerBuysAfrikaansPanashe ChigumadziSweet MedicineEnglish2015Zukiswa WannerLondon Cape Town JoburgEnglish2014Jamala SafariThe Great Agony and Pure Laughter of the GodsEnglish2013Karen JayesFor the Mercy of WaterEnglish2012Sonja LootsSirkusboereAfrikaansDiale TlholweCounting the CoffinsEnglishNhlanhla MaakeManong a lapileSouthern Sotho2011Dan SleighAfstandeAfrikaansE. D. M. SibiyaNgiyolibala NgifileZulu2010Motlatlhego Victor MoleleMmaphefo le MaphefoSepediKgebetli MoeleThe Book of the DeadEnglish2009Chris MarnewickShepherds and ButchersEnglishH. R. TshiananeVhuanzwoVendaKabelo D. KgateaMonwana wa BosupaTswanaSiphatheleni KulaInkawu idliw’ ililaXhosa2008Njabulo NdebeleFine Lines from the Box: Further Thoughts about Our CountryEnglish2007Bruce Mikhomazi NgobeniBody of workTsonga
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 WinnersYearWinnerWorkLanguageRef.2024Dawn GarischWhat RemainsEnglish2023Terry-Ann AdamsWhite ChalkEnglish2022Mzoli MavimbelaZigqitywa Kuhlwile Zibonwe LiwuhlabileXhosaS. J. NaudéMad HoneyEnglish2021Nankanjani SibiyaThe Reluctant Storyteller: A Collection of StoriesEnglishMadoda NdlakuseMhla Latsh’ibhayiXhosa2020Fred KhumaloTalk of The TownEnglish2019Niq MhlongoSoweto, Under the Apricot TreeEnglish2018Nick MulgrewThe First Law of SadnessEnglishNicole Jaekel StraussAs in die mondAfrikaans2017Roela HattinghKameeAfrikaans2016Sandra HillUnsettled and Other StoriesEnglish2015Abraham H. de VriesMaar wie snoei die rose in die nag?Afrikaans2014Makhosazana XabaRunning and Other StoriesEnglishReneilwe MalatjiLove, InterruptedEnglish2013Etienne van HeerdenHaai KarooAfrikaans2012No award2011No award2010Mary Misaveni MabuzaKhuluka na RitaviTsongaBIshop M. T. MakobeNkune se, Mphe se!Sepedi2009J.J. NcongwaneTikhatsi LetimatimaSwati2008No award2007Otty E.H.M NxumaloBody of workZulu
Novel Award +Novel Award WinnersYearWinnerWorkLanguageRef.2024Barry GilderAt Fire Hour EnglishJabulane Johan NcongwaneLifa LetilimaSithembile MputaUnyana WolahlekoS. J. NaudéVan vaders en vlugtelingeAfrikaansKabelo Duncan KgateaTsamaya sentle 'tata' Mandela2023Thivhusiwi Tshindane TshivhulaHone Hu Tshi Tea U Maliwa Ngavhugai2022Damon GalgutThe PromiseEnglishIngrid WinterbachVoorouer. Pelgrim. BergAfrikaansYamkela NtwalanaoIntlungu YevezandlebeXhosaPatrick KhosaNhlokonho wa veleXitsonga2021Ezra Mcebisi NkohlaZajik 'izintoXhosaFred KhumaloNgenxa yemendiXhosa2020Fiona SnyckersLacunaEnglish2019Charl-Pierre NaudéDie ongelooflike onskuld van Dirkie VerweyAfrikaansSabata-Mpho MokaeMoletlo wa ManongSetswana2018Dan Sleigh1795Afrikaans
Creative Non-Fiction Award +Creative Non-Fiction Award Winners (2012–2021)YearWinnerWorkLanguageRef.2023Mandla J. RadebeThe Lost Prince of the ANC: The Life and Times of Jabulani Nobleman 'Mzala' Nxumalo English2022Ebrahim HarveyThe Great Pretenders: Race and Class Under ANC RuleEnglishNicol StassenVan Humpata tot UpingtoniaAfrikaans2021Mzoli MavimbelaMasibuyel’embo Konakele Phi Na?XhosaSabata-Mpho Mokae Brian WillanSol Plaatje: A Life in LettersEnglish2020Toni StrasburgHolding the FortEnglish2019Jonathan JansenAs by Fire: The End of the South African UniversityEnglish2018Jürgen SchadenbergThe Way I See ItEnglish2017Dikgang MosenekeMy Own LiberatorEnglish2016Jacob DlaminiAskari: A Story of Collaboration and Betrayal in the Anti-Apartheid StruggleEnglish2015Edwin CameronJustice: A Personal AccountEnglish2014Sihle KhumaloAlmost Sleeping My Way to TimbuktuEnglish2013Imraan CoovadiaTransformations: EssaysEnglish2012McIntosh PolelaMy Father My MonsterEnglishHannes Haasbroek'n Seun soos BramAfrikaans
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)YearWinnerWorkLanguageRef.2021Reŝoketŝwe ManenzheScatterlingsEnglishLynthia JuliusUit die kroesAfrikaans2020Trevor SacksLucky PacketEnglishLize Albertyn-du ToitDie kinders van spookwerweAfrikaans2019Bongani NgqulungaThe Man Who Founded the ANC: A Biography of Pixley Ka Isaka SemeEnglish2018Malebo SephodiMiss BehaveEnglish2017Moses SeletišaTšhutšhumakgalaSepedi2016Francois SmithKamphoerAfrikaans2015Carol CampbellMy Children Have FacesEnglish2014Claire RobertsonThe Spiral HouseEnglish2013Ashraf KageeKhalil’s JourneyEnglish2012Yewande OmotosoBom BoyEnglishS. J. NaudéAlfabet van die voëlsAfrikaans2011Sifiso MzobeYoung BloodEnglish2010Alistair MorganSleeper’s WakeEnglish2009Diale TlholweAncient RitesEnglish
Poetry Award +Poetry Award Winners (2009-2021)YearWinnerWorkLanguageRef.2024Fhulufhelo NtsieniRudzaniSithembele Isaac XhegwanaDark lines of history: poems2021Johann de LangeDie meeste sterre is lankal doodAfrikaansAyanda BillieKwaNobuhle OvercastEnglishBabalwa FatyiHlahl’indlela NohombileXhosaKgwadi KgwadiIthuteng MogolokwaneTswanaNndanduleni MulaudziKhonadzeoVendaTshepiso MakgoloaneTša maAfrikaSepedi2020Marlise JoubertGrondwaterAfrikaansMusawenkosi KhanyileAll the PlacesEnglish2019Tony UllyattforAn Unobtrusive ViceEnglishNathan TrantraalAlles het niet kom wôdAfrikaansAyanda BillieUmhlaba umanziXhosa2018Kelwyn SoleWalking, FallingEnglish2017Simphiwe Ali NolutshunguIingcango ZentliziyoXhosaHelen MoffettPruningsEnglish2016Gilbert GibsonVryAfrikaansArja SalafrancaBeyond TouchEnglish2015Charl-Pierre NaudeAl die lieflike dadeAfrikaansMangaliso BuzaniNdisabhala ImibongoXhosaBishop M. T. MakobeTsa Ngweding wa LetopantaSepedi2014Thandi SliepenThe Turtle Dove Told MeEnglishThemba Patrick MagaisaMihloti ya TinganaTsonga2013Petra MullerOm die gedagte van geel Afrikaans2012Ingrid de KokOther SignsEnglishJohann Lodewyk MaraisDioramaAfrikaans2011Phillippa Yaa de VilliersThe Everyday WifeEnglish2010BIshop M. T. MakobeKekeretsane tsa bokgwalwe/Hlaa tsa tokologoSepediDanie MaraisAl is die maan ‘n misverstandAfrikaansKobus MoolmanSeparating the SeasEnglish2009Loftus MaraisStaan in die algemeen nader aan venstersAfrikaansMxolisi NyezwaNew CountryEnglish
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)YearWinnerWorkLanguageRef.2021Andre TrantaalKeegan & Samier: die sokkerfiaskoAfrikaans2020Niki DalyIt's Jamela! English2019Lebohang MasangoMpumi's Magic BeadsEnglish2018Jaco JacobsDaar's nie 'n krokodil in hierdie boek nie Moenie hierdie boek eet nieAfrikaansMarilyn HonikmanThere Should Have Been FiveEnglish
Youth Literature Award The Youth Literature Award recognises works of fiction written for readers aged 12 to 18. +Youth Literature Award Winners (2019–2021)YearWinnerWorkLanguageRef.2021Pamela NewhamThe Boy and the Poacher’s MoonEnglishKobate John SekeleMararankodi mafeleloSepediSipho R. KekezwaUbomi, ungancama!Xhosa2020Trevor NoahBorn A Crime: Young Readers EditionEnglish2019Sally PartridgeMineEnglish
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)YearWinnerLanguageRef.2021Jean MeiringAfrikaans2020Bongani MavusoZulu2019Jennifer MalecEnglishWamuwi MbaoEnglish2018Sam MatheEnglish2017Don MakatileEnglishPhakama MbonambEnglish2016No award2015Michele MagwoodEnglish2014No award2013No award2012Jenny Crwys-WilliamsEnglish2011Sabata-Mpho MokaeEnglish2010Kevin BloomEnglish2009Karabo KgolengEnglishMaureen IsaacsonEnglish2008No award2007Victor DlaminiEnglishBongani MadondoEnglish
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)YearWinnerWorkLanguageRef.2021Jeff Opland and Peter T. MtuzeIimbali Zamandulo (1838–1910)Xhosa to English2020Refiloe MoahluliYHEKE YANGA! Umdlali ka3 Toti uba yintshatsheli yeqakambaEnglish to Xhosa2019Michiel HeynsRed Dog (Buys by Willem Anker)Afrikaans to English2018Peter T. Mtuze and Jeff OplandUmoya Wembongi: Collected Poems 1922–1935 (by John Solilo)