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.
2013The 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 BrynardDebut Award: The Book of War by James Whyle (Jacana Media) and Leqotjane by SJ Gambu (Scorpion Publishers)2012The 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 LentsoaneFilm category: 7 Dae by Deon Meyer (Human & Rousseau)2011In 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)2010The 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)2009The 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 LandsmanAfrikaans category: 30 nagte in Amsterdam by Etienne van HeerdenAfrican languages (Sepedi/Sesotho): Babuši ba Lehono (Today’s Leaders) by Mathethe MolopeAfrican languages (Tshivenda): Nne na inwi (You and Me) by Tsireledzo MushomaFilm category: 13 Uur by Deon Meyer20082007Afrikaans category: Die boek van toeval en toeverlaat by Ingrid Winterbach2006Non-fiction Recht Malan Prize: The Dirty Work of Democracy by Antony Altbeker2005Life Achievement Award: Prof Mazisi KuneneNguni category:Fiction: Isiqalo Esisha (A new beginning) by SD KhumaloPoetry: Intathakusa by C Nyanda and JJ Thwala2004200320022001English category: David's Story by Zoe WicombAfrikaans category: Die Swye van Mario Salviati by Etienne van HeerdenNguni category: Ifa Ngukufa by MJ MngadiSesotho languages category: Njeng manong fa ke sule! (Devour me, vultures, when I'm dead!) by Kabelo Duncan KgateaTshivenda: Tshi do Lilwa by N PhaswanaTsonga: Mbilu ya Wanuna by NB Mkhari2000199919981997English category: Ways of Dying by Zakes Mda199619951994Afrikaans category: Karolina Ferreira by Lettie Viljoen (pseudonym of Ingrid Winterbach).199319921991