Hertzogprys

The Hertzogprys ("Hertzog Prize") is an annual award given to Afrikaans-language writers by the South African Academy for Science and Art (Afrikaans: Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns), formerly the South African Academy for Language, Literature and Art (Afrikaans: Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Taal, Lettere en Kuns). It is the most prestigious prize in Afrikaans literature and was first established in 1914 as part of the Tweede Taalbeweging ("Second Language Movement"). The first winner was Totius [1] for his 1915 poetry collection Trekkersweë ("Trekkers' Ways/Grief"). The prize is awarded in turn in the categories of poetry, prose, and drama and is the highest honour that can be bestowed on an Afrikaans author. Besides a medal, the author receives a cash award funded by the legacy left to the Academy by former prime minister and Boer War general J.B.M. Hertzog [2]. The author may also use the rewards occasion to make a public acceptance speech.

Hertzogprys vir Drama (“Hertzog Prize for Drama”)

One of the three categories, poetry, prose and drama, the Prize for Drama is awarded triennially to the best play(s) in Afrikaans published in the previous three years, or - on occasion - for the playwright's oeuvre as a whole. The prize has not always been awarded, since no award is made if a suitable candidate is not available, and the first prize awarded for Drama was in 1926.

List of Hertzogprys vir Drama (“Hertzog Prize for Drama”) winners

1926: J.F.W. Grosskopf (As die tuig skawe and Drie eenbedrywe)

1935: H.A. Fagan (Die ouderling en ander toneelstukke

1944: C. Louis Leipoldt (Die Heks and Die Laaste Aand)

1952: Gerhard J. Beukes (Langs die Steiltes, Salome Dans!, As ons twee eers getroud is and Agt eenbedrywe) and W.A. de Klerk (Die Jaar van die Vuuros, Drie Vroue, Drie Dramas and Vlamme oor La Roche)

1956: D.J. Opperman (Periandros van Korinthe)

1960: N.P. van Wyk Louw (Germanicus)

1969: D.J. Opperman (Voëlvry),

1972: P.G. du Plessis (Siener in die Suburbs and Die Nag van Legio)

1978: Bartho Smit (Putsonderwater, Moeder Hanna, Christine and Die Verminktes)

1981: Henriette Grové (Ontmoeting by Dwaaldrif and all her other dramatic work)

1985: Uys Krige (his total oeuvre)

1991: Chris Barnard (his total oeuvre)

1994: Reza de Wet (Vrystaat-trilogie and Trits: Mis, Mirakel, Drif)

1997: Reza de Wet (Drie Susters Twee)

2000: André P. Brink (Die Jogger)

2003: Pieter Fourie (complete drama oeuvre)

2006: Deon Opperman (for his drama oeuvre up until 2005)

2009: Deon Opperman (Kaburu)

2012: Adam Small (for his drama oeuvre up until 1983)

2015: Tertius Kapp (Rooiland and Oorsee)

2018: Pietr-Dirk Uys.

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