M-Net Literary Awards (1991-2013) was a South African literary award. It was established in 1991 by M-Net (Electronic Media Network), a South African television station. It was among South Africa's most prestigious literary honors. The prize was created to encourage the writing of quality novels by South African authors in one of South Africa's 11 official languages. The award was suspended indefinitely after the 2013 season.
Winners received a prize of R50,000 beginning in 2011, up from R30,000 in previous years. M-Net also had a film category, which offered a prize for a novel showing the greatest promise for translation into a visual medium.
2013
The 2013 M-Net Literary Awards were announced at a ceremony at the The Maslow Hotel in Johannesburg on September 20.
English category: The Institute for Taxi Poetry by Imraan Coovadia (Umuzi)
Afrikaans category: Die aanspraak van lewende wesens by Ingrid Winterbach (Human & Rousseau)
African Languages category: Bayeza Abanqobi by Matthew Jabulani Mngadi (Indwa Publishers)
African Languages category (Setwana): Ga Ke Modisa by Sabata-mpho Mokae (Geko Publishers)
African Languages category (Ndebele): Inzinto Zyaphenduka by July Innocent Mtsweni (Pelmo)
African Languages category (Tshivenda): Mbofho dza Malofha by NM Mphaphuli (Scorpion Publishers)
Film category: Ga Ke Modisa by Sabata-mpho Mokae (Geko Publishers) and Onse Vaders by Karin Brynard
Debut Award: The Book of War by James Whyle (Jacana Media) and Leqotjane by SJ Gambu (Scorpion Publishers)
2012
The winners were announced at an event at the Hyatt Regency in Johannesburg In October 2012.
English category: Homemaking for the Down-at-Heart by Finuala Dowling (Kwela)
Afrikaans category: Sirkusboere by Sonja Loots (Tafelberg)
African Languages category (Sesotho): Manong a lapile by N Maake (Ekaam Publishers)
African Languages category (Tshivenda): Murunzi wa Vhutshilo by Takalani Mbedzi (Bard Publishers)
African Languages category (Sepedi): Tšhweu ya ditsebe by Herbert Lentsoane
Film category: 7 Dae by Deon Meyer (Human & Rousseau)
2011
In 2011, 95 novels, published between January and December 2010, were submitted for consideration in the various award categories. The winners were celebrated at a gala event in Cape Town.
English category: Double Negative by Ivan Vladislavic (Umuzi)
Afrikaans category: Die Benederyk by Ingrid Winterbach (Human & Rousseau)
Nguni category: Inkululeko Isentabeni by Ncedile Saule (Hibbard Publishers)
Sesotho category: Lehutso by KJ Sekele (Hibbard Publishers)
Film category: Happiness is a Four-letter Word by Cynthia Jele (Kwela)
2010
The 2010 M-Net Literary and Film Awards, which previously had been held at the same function as the Via Afrika Awards, were announced separately for the first time this year.
English category: Small Moving Parts by Sally-Ann Murray (Kwela)
Afrikaans category: Santa Gamka by Eben Venter (Tafelberg)
Nguni category: Lingada Zibuyile Endle (Wild cats have come home) by P. Mtuze (Vivlia)
Sepedi/Sesotho category: Ga di Mphelele (Let them live for me) by M.S. Machitela (Lingua Franca)
Film category: Plaasmoord by Karin Brynard (Human & Rousseau)
2009
The 2009 M-Net Literary Awards were announced at a ceremony in Camps Bay, Cape Town. For the first time this year, a "Film" award was given for a novel that could potentially become a film on M-Net.
English category: The Rowing Lesson by Anne Landsman
Afrikaans category: 30 nagte in Amsterdam by Etienne van Heerden
African languages (Sepedi/Sesotho): Babuši ba Lehono (Today’s Leaders) by Mathethe Molope
African languages (Tshivenda): Nne na inwi (You and Me) by Tsireledzo Mushoma
Film category: 13 Uur by Deon Meyer
2008
2007
Afrikaans category: Die boek van toeval en toeverlaat by Ingrid Winterbach
2006
Non-fiction Recht Malan Prize: The Dirty Work of Democracy by Antony Altbeker
2005
Life Achievement Award: Prof Mazisi Kunene
Nguni category:
Fiction: Isiqalo Esisha (A new beginning) by SD Khumalo
Poetry: Intathakusa by C Nyanda and JJ Thwala
2004
2003
2002
2001
English category: David's Story by Zoe Wicomb
Afrikaans category: Die Swye van Mario Salviati by Etienne van Heerden
Nguni category: Ifa Ngukufa by MJ Mngadi
Sesotho languages category: Njeng manong fa ke sule! (Devour me, vultures, when I'm dead!) by Kabelo Duncan Kgatea
Tshivenda: Tshi do Lilwa by N Phaswana
Tsonga: Mbilu ya Wanuna by NB Mkhari
2000
1999
1998
1997
English category: Ways of Dying by Zakes Mda
1996
1995
1994
Afrikaans category: Karolina Ferreira by Lettie Viljoen (pseudonym of Ingrid Winterbach).
1993
1992
1991
