Edward Tsumele

Edward Tsumele

Leading writers, including those writing in indigenous languages, have been rewarded handsomely for their efforts in the The M-Net Literary Awards.

The winners this time around are in the categories Afrikaans, English, Nguni, Sotho and Xitsonga. And these awards coming against the backdrop of the resurgence of writing by black writers is quite significant.

Publishers are often fingered by the Department of Arts and Culture for not being eager to publish literature in indigenous languages.

In the English language category, JM Coetzee received the award for Dairy of a Bad Year.

In the Afrikaans category, Asbesmiddag, won it for Etienne van Heerden

In the Nguni language category which includes isiZulu, isiXhosa, isiNdebele, and siSwati Ukutshona, a detective novel in isiXhosa, written by Phakamile Gongo, scooped the award.

The winner of the Sotho language category (Sesotho, Sepedi and Setswana) is Dilo tsela ke by Mafori Charles Mphahlele

In Xistonga, Xijahatana, by MC Lubisi came up tops.

Each of the winning authors received R30 000 from M-Net.