PRESS RELEASE
Wednesday 8 November, 2017
2017 Sanlam Awards Celebrate the Best in SA Youth Literature
Sanlam and Tafelberg, an imprint of NB Publishers, are proud to announce the winners of the 2017 Sanlam Prizes for Youth Literature, recognizing the rich diversity and talent in local youth literature. The prizes, awarded for new manuscripts, were announced in Johannesburg last night, 7 November 2017.
A record number of 134 entries were received in the three categories – English (55 entries), African languages (46 entries in eight languages) and Afrikaans (33 entries) – with two winners (gold and silver) chosen in each category. Prize money totaling R90 000 was awarded, with Sanlam increasing the prize amounts to R20 000 for gold and R10 000 for silver in each category.
The eclectic range of winning titles includes stories of abuse, cyber bullying, the disintegration of families, post-apocalyptic survival and forbidden love, and reflects issues young people of today grapple and can identify with.
The 2017 winners are:
English
- Lesley Beake won gold for Hap, described by the judges as “a well-structured and beautifully written coming-of-age story”. In it, a troubled teenager travels from New York to South Africa to spend time with her father on an archaeological site, where she identifies with the fossil of a young woman whom she names Hap. Lesley lives in Stanford.
- Jayne Bauling won silver for New Keepers, which, according to the judges, “has the feel of a Lauren Beukes novel crossed with Hunger Games”. Set in a post-apocalyptic future, it follows a boy who advertises a trip into the Wildlands for those seeking adventure. In 2013, Bauling won gold for Dreaming of Light. Jayne lives in White River.
African Languages
- Gold went to isiZulu writer Dumisani Hlatswayo for Imibala Yothando (“The Colours of Love”), described as “a riveting tale of love, betrayal, jealousy and growing up in the social media era”. It centres on Sinenhlanhla, who is sent to a new school in Soweto, where she falls prey to a cyber bully. Dumisani lives in Somerset East.
- Debut author Lebohang Pheko won silver for Mamello (Sesotho), a “perfect tale of overcoming adversity”, with the power of education and forgiveness as key themes. Its main character, Mamello, is a young girl who is not allowed to attend school but dreams of becoming a human rights lawyer. Lebohang lives in Virginia.
Afrikaans
- Carin Krahtz, author of the much lauded Elton April youth novels, won gold for Blou is nie ’n kleur nie, a story about the disintegration of a dysfunctional suburban family, as told from the perspective of 16-year-old Vicky. The judges called this a universal, gut-wrenching tale tempered with witty dialogue and humour. Carin lives in Centurion.
- Jan Vermeulen won silver for Soen, “a page-turner with countless twists and turns” about a popular and gifted head boy whose unhealthy obsession with a young teacher nearly costs him his life. In 2002, Vermeulen won gold for Geraamtes dra nie klere nie. Jan lives in Dispatch.
The winning manuscripts were developed and are published by Tafelberg and will be available in both print and e-book format. Manuscripts were judged anonymously so that debut writers were able to compete on an equal footing with established authors.
250 Words a Day
To make the competition more accessible to young and upcoming writers, and to motivate them to complete their 25 000 word manuscripts in time, would-be authors were encouraged to join Sanlam’s “250 Words a Day” campaign on Facebook. Here they were asked to write 250 words every day, with feedback given by well-known authors acting as mentors.
“Apart from making the competition more interactive and reaching a broader audience, this helped increase the total number of entries by 60 from the previous competition,” says Michelle Cooper, publisher of children and young adult fiction at Tafelberg. “An incredible 48 entries were received from debut writers, reflecting the success of the Facebook campaign.”
Since these biennial awards were first bestowed in 1980, close to 80 entries have been prescribed for schools, emphasizing the value of the competition, says Cooper. Among the long list of prescribed prize-winning titles have been Praise Song by Jenny Robson, Kungasa Ngifile by E.D.M. Sibaya, Leba Seipone by Kabelo Duncan Kgatea, SuperZero by Darrel Bristow-Bovey and Hoopvol by Derick van der Walt. Some titles have also been made into films, including Lien se lankstaanskoene by Derick van der Walt and Die ongelooflike avonture van Hanna Hoekom by Marita van der Vyver.
The prizes were handed over by Lebogang Monyatsi, head of group market development & stake holder relations at Sanlam, and Eloise Wessels, managing director of Media24 Books, of which NB Publishers and Tafelberg form part.
“We are privileged and proud to be part of this enormously important initiative by Sanlam to develop new writing talent and create quality literature for young adult readers in all our official languages,” says Eloise Wessels. “There can be few more worthwhile endeavors than enabling young people to read books reflecting their own realities in their own language. It also plays a key role in promoting literacy and a love for books, bringing lifelong rewards.”
Held at Exclusive Books in Hyde Park, Johannesburg, the prize-giving was a youthful affair, with extracts from the winning titles read by learners from St Mary’s School, Waverley, and performances by the Amazwi choir from St Stithians Girls’ College. The prize-giving was also attended by principals of Sanlam Blue Ladder schools, which each received copies of the winning titles.
Call to entry
Entries for the 2019 Sanlam Prizes for Youth Literature are now open. Entry forms are available at www.nb.co.za and the closing date is 5 October 2019.
Media enquiries:
Hevette le Grange
Publicist: Dictionaries and children’s and youth books
021 406 3414 / 083 234 5774
