Hertzogprys

The Hertzogprys ("Hertzog Prize") is an annual award given to Afrikaans-language writers by the Suid-Afrikaanse Akademies vir Wetenskap en Kuns ("South African Academy for the Sciences and Art") formerly the Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Taal, Lettere en Kuns ("South African Academy for Language, Literature and Art"). 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.