View source for M-Net Literary Awards

{{EngvarB|date=June 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2018}}

{{Short description|Defunct South African literary awards, (1991 to 2013)}}
{{Infobox award|name=The M-Net Literary Awards|presenter=[[M-Net]]|reward=R50 000|firstawarded=1991|lastawarded=20 September 2013|country=South Africa}}

'''M-Net Literary Awards''' were a group of South African literary awards, awarded from 1991 to 2013. They were established and sponsored by [[M-Net]] (Electronic Media Network), a South African television station. The award was suspended indefinitely after the 2013 season.<ref>{{cite web|author=|date=6 January 2014|title=M-Net Literary Awards Suspended Indefinitely|url=http://bookslive.co.za/blog/2014/02/06/m-net-literary-awards-suspended-indefinitely/|work=Sunday Times Books|accessdate=8 February 2014|archive-date=8 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140208002153/http://bookslive.co.za/blog/2014/02/06/m-net-literary-awards-suspended-indefinitely/|url-status=live}}</ref> In the awards' fourth year, an award for indigenous African languages was inaugurated, alongside the original English and [[Afrikaans]] awards, to encourage writing in indigenous languages.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=De Waal|first=Shaun|date=2000-03-17|title=A decade of prizes|url=https://mg.co.za/article/2000-03-17-a-decade-of-prizes/|access-date=2021-11-14|website=The Mail & Guardian|language=en-ZA|archive-date=2 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802135224/https://mg.co.za/article/2000-03-17-a-decade-of-prizes/|url-status=live}}</ref> In subsequent years there were six language categories, covering all eleven [[Official languages of South Africa|official South African languages]]: English; [[Afrikaans]]; [[Nguni languages|Nguni]] ([[Zulu language|Zulu]], [[Xhosa language|Xhosa]], [[Southern Ndebele language|Ndebele]], and [[Swazi language|Swati]]); [[Sotho–Tswana languages|SeSotho]] ([[Sotho language|Sotho]], [[Pedi language|Pedi]], and [[Tswana language|Tswana]]); [[Venda language|TshiVenda]]; and [[Tsonga language|SeTsonga]]. In 2005, a Film award was introduced, for novels that novels that showed promise for translation into a visual medium.<ref name="booknet2011" /> Three Lifetime Achievements Awards were also given: to [[Mazisi Kunene]] (2005), Cynthia Marivate (2006), and [[Mzilikazi Khumalo]] (2007). 

In their early years, the M-Net Awards were notable among South African literary awards for considering, under their judging criteria, not only literary merit but also "strong narrative content" and "accessibility to a broad reading public."<ref>{{Cite web|date=2001-05-25|title=Enter now for leading literary award|url=https://www.news24.com/news24/enter-now-for-leading-literary-award-20010525|access-date=2021-11-14|website=News24|language=en-US|archive-date=14 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211114155237/https://www.news24.com/news24/enter-now-for-leading-literary-award-20010525|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|date=2004-06-28|title=2004 M-Net Book Prize|url=https://www.artsmart.co.za/literature/archive/614.html|access-date=2021-11-14|website=ArtSmart|archive-date=14 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211114155135/https://www.artsmart.co.za/literature/archive/614.html|url-status=live}}</ref> They were also, in the 1990s, the best remunerated literary awards in South Africa.<ref name=":3">{{Cite book|last1=Benson|first1=Eugene|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UmfMAgAAQBAJ&q=1999+m-net+literary+awards|title=Encyclopedia of Post-Colonial Literatures in English|last2=Conolly|first2=L. W.|date=2004-11-30|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-134-46847-8|language=en}}</ref> From 2011, winners received a prize of R50 000, up from R30,000 in previous years.<ref name="booknet2011">"[http://book.co.za/blog/2011/06/20/the-2011-m-net-literary-awards-winners/ The 2011 M-Net Literary Awards Winners"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110702111559/http://book.co.za/blog/2011/06/20/the-2011-m-net-literary-awards-winners/ |date=2 July 2011 }}. Books LIVE. Retrieved 21 June 2011.</ref>  

Until 2010, the Awards were announced at the same event as the Via Afrika Awards (previously known as the Nasboek Literary Awards), which are ongoing as the [[Media24 Books Literary Awards]].<ref>"[http://bookslive.co.za/blog/2010/07/31/the-2010-m-net-literary-and-film-award-winners/ The 2010 M-Net Literary Awards Winners"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303232852/http://bookslive.co.za/blog/2010/07/31/the-2010-m-net-literary-and-film-award-winners/ |date=3 March 2016 }}. ''Sunday Times Books''. Retrieved June 09, 2013.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2003-01-22|title=M-Net Book Prize|url=https://www.artsmart.co.za/literature/archive/409.html|access-date=2021-11-14|website=ArtSmart|archive-date=14 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211114155138/https://www.artsmart.co.za/literature/archive/409.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Award winners==
{{Incomplete list|date=November 2021}}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+Winners (1999-2013)
!Year
!Category
!Winner
!Work
!Ref.
!Notes
|-
| rowspan="11" |2013
|English
|[[Imraan Coovadia]]
|''The Institute for Taxi Poetry''
| rowspan="11" |<ref>{{cite web|author=Carolyn|date=20 September 2013|title=The 2013 M-Net Literary Awards Winners|url=http://bookslive.co.za/blog/2013/09/20/the-2013-m-net-literary-awards-winners/|work=Books LIVE|accessdate=21 September 2013|archive-date=24 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130924004540/http://bookslive.co.za/blog/2013/09/20/the-2013-m-net-literary-awards-winners/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2013-09-02|title=Lowe CT's Alistair Morgan Shortlisted for M-Net Literary Awards|url=https://thesuckerpunch.co.za/2013/09/alistair_morgan_mnet_literary_awards/|access-date=2021-11-17|website=The Sucker Punch by MullenLowe South Africa|language=en-US|archive-date=8 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208121554/http://thesuckerpunch.co.za/2013/09/alistair_morgan_mnet_literary_awards/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| rowspan="11" |<small>Awarded 20 September in Johannesburg.{{efn-lr|A debut award for debut works in any language was awarded for the first, and only, time.}}</small>
<small>Shortlisted in the English category were:</small>

* <small>''Life Under Water'' by [[Ken Barris]]</small>
* <small>''No Time Like the Present'' by [[Nadine Gordimer]]</small>
* <small>''The Land Within'' by [[Alistair Morgan]]</small>
* <small>''The Book of War'' by [[James Whyle]]</small>
|-
|Afrikaans
|[[Ingrid Winterbach]]
|''Die aanspraak van lewende wesens''
|-
| rowspan="2" |Nguni
|[[July Innocent Mtsweni]]
|''Inzinto Zyaphenduka''
|-
|[[M.J. Mngadi]]
|''Bayeza Abanqobi''
|-
|SeSotho
|[[Sabata-Mpho Mokae]]
|''Ga Ke Modisa''
|-
|SeTsonga
| colspan="2" |No award
|-
|TshiVenda
|[[N.M. Mphaphuli]] 
|''Mbofho dza Malofha''
|-
| rowspan="2" |Film
|[[Sabata-Mpho Mokae]]
|''Ga Ke Modisa''
|-
|[[Karin Brynard]]
|''Onse Vaders''
|-
| rowspan="2" |Debut
|[[James Whyle]]
|''The Book of War''
|-
|[[S.J. Gambu]]
|''Leqotjane''
|-
| rowspan="8" |2012
|English
|[[Finuala Dowling]]
|''Homemaking for the Down-at-Heart''
| rowspan="8" |<ref>{{cite web|author=Carolyn|date=19 October 2012|title=The 2012 M-Net Literary Awards Winners|url=http://bookslive.co.za/blog/2012/10/19/the-2012-m-net-literary-awards-winners/|work=Books LIVE|accessdate=19 October 2012|archive-date=26 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026073053/http://bookslive.co.za/blog/2012/10/19/the-2012-m-net-literary-awards-winners/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2012-09-12|title=Shortlists Announced for 2012 M-Net Literary Awards|url=http://bookslive.co.za/blog/2012/09/10/shortlists-announced-for-2012-m-net-literary-awards/|access-date=2021-11-17|website=Sunday Times Books|language=en|archive-date=12 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170112161213/http://bookslive.co.za/blog/2012/09/10/shortlists-announced-for-2012-m-net-literary-awards/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| rowspan="8" |<small>Awarded in October in Johannesburg.</small> 
<small>Shortlisted in the English category were:</small>

* <small>''Lost Ground'' by [[Michiel Heyns]]</small>
* <small>''The Landscape Painter'' by [[Craig Higginson]]</small>
* <small>''Shooting Angels'' by [[Christopher Hope (novelist)|Christopher Hope]]</small>
* <small>''Nineveh'' by [[Henrietta Rose-Innes]]</small>
|-
|Afrikaans
|[[Sonja Loots]]
|''Sirkusboere''
|-
|Nguni
| colspan="2" |No award
|-
| rowspan="2" |SeSotho
|[[N.P. Maake]]
|''Manong a lapile''
|-
|[[Herbert Lentsoane]]
|''Tšhweu ya ditsebe''
|-
|SeTsonga
| colspan="2" |No award
|-
|TshiVenda
|[[Takalani Mbedzi]]
|''Murunzi wa Vhutshilo''
|-
|Film
|[[Deon Meyer]]
|''7 Dae''
|-
| rowspan="7" |2011
|English
|[[Ivan Vladislavic]]
|''Double Negative''
| rowspan="7" |<ref name="booknet2011" /><ref>{{Cite web|date=2011-06-09|title=The 2011 M-Net Literary and Film Awards Shortlists|url=http://bookslive.co.za/blog/2011/06/09/the-2011-m-net-literary-and-film-awards-shortlists/|access-date=2021-11-17|website=Sunday Times Books|language=en|archive-date=26 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926184058/http://bookslive.co.za/blog/2011/06/09/the-2011-m-net-literary-and-film-awards-shortlists/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| rowspan="7" |<small>Awarded in June in Cape Town.</small>
<small>Shortlisted in the English category were:</small>

* <small>''[[Zoo City]]'' by [[Lauren Beukes]]</small>

* <small>''In a Strange Room'' by [[Damon Galgut]]</small>

* <small>''Last Summer'' by [[Craig Higginson]]</small>
|-
|Afrikaans
|[[Ingrid Winterbach]]
|''Die Benederyk''
|-
|Nguni
|[[Ncedile Saule]]
|''Inkululeko Isentabeni''
|-
|SeSotho
|[[K.J. Sekele]]
|''Lehutso''
|-
|SeTsonga
| colspan="2" |No award
|-
|TshiVenda
| colspan="2" |No award
|-
|Film
|[[Cynthia Jele]]
|''Happiness is a Four-Letter Word''
|-
| rowspan="7" |2010
|English
|[[Sally-Ann Murray]]
|''Small Moving Parts''
| rowspan="7" |<ref>"[http://bookslive.co.za/blog/2010/07/31/the-2010-m-net-literary-and-film-award-winners/ The 2010 M-Net Literary Awards Winners"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303232852/http://bookslive.co.za/blog/2010/07/31/the-2010-m-net-literary-and-film-award-winners/ |date=3 March 2016 }}. Books LIVE. Retrieved 25 June 2012.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2010-06-24|title=The 2010 M-Net Literary Awards Shortlists|url=http://bookslive.co.za/blog/2010/06/24/the-2010-m-net-literary-awards-shortlists/|access-date=2021-11-17|website=Sunday Times Books|language=en|archive-date=24 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924113503/http://bookslive.co.za/blog/2010/06/24/the-2010-m-net-literary-awards-shortlists/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| rowspan="7" |<small>Awarded 31 July in Cape Town.{{efn-lr|The Awards were announced at a separate event to the [[Via Afrika Awards]] for the first time.}}</small>
<small>Shortlisted in the English category were:</small>

* <small>''To Heaven by Water'' by [[Justin Cartwright]]</small>

* <small>''[[Summertime (novel)|Summertime]]'' by [[J. M. Coetzee|J.M. Coetzee]]</small>

* <small>''High Low In-between'' by [[Imraan Coovadia]]</small>

* <small>''Little Ice Cream Boy'' by [[Jacques Pauw]]</small>
|-
|Afrikaans
|[[Eben Venter]]
|''Santa Gamka''
|-
|Nguni
|[[Peter Mtuze]]
|''Iingada Zibuyile Endle''
|-
|SeSotho
|[[M.S. Machitela]]
|''Ga di Mphelele''
|-
|SeTsonga
| colspan="2" |No award
|-
|TshiVenda
| colspan="2" |No award
|-
|Film
|[[Karin Brynard]]
|''Plaasmoord''
|-
| rowspan="7" |2009
|English
|[[Anne Landsman]]
|''The Rowing Lesson''
| rowspan="7" |<ref>"[http://bookslive.co.za/blog/2009/06/13/2009-m-net-literary-award-winners/ 2009 M-Net Literary Award Winners"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426171952/http://bookslive.co.za/blog/2009/06/13/2009-m-net-literary-award-winners/ |date=26 April 2012 }}. Books LIVE. Retrieved 6 June 2013.</ref>
| rowspan="7" |<small>Awarded 13 June in Cape Town.</small> 
|-
|Afrikaans
|[[Etienne van Heerden]]
|''30 Nagte in Amsterdam''
|-
|Nguni
| colspan="2" |No award
|-
|SeSotho
|[[Mathethe Molope]]
|''Babuši ba Lehono''
|-
|SeTsonga
| colspan="2" |No award
|-
|TshiVenda
|[[Tsireledzo Mushoma]]
|''Nne na inwi'' 
|-
|Film
|[[Deon Meyer]]
|''13 Uuur''
|-
| rowspan="6" |2008
|English
|[[J. M. Coetzee|J.M. Coetzee]]
|''[[Diary of a Bad Year]]''
| rowspan="6" |<ref>{{Cite web|date=2008-06-25|title=A stunted af(fair)|url=https://mg.co.za/article/2008-06-25-a-stunted-affair/|access-date=2021-11-13|website=The Mail & Guardian|language=en-ZA|archive-date=19 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220819235138/https://mg.co.za/article/2008-06-25-a-stunted-affair/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|date=2008-09-01|title=Notes and news|url=https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/abpr.2008.007/html|journal=African Book Publishing Record|language=en|volume=34|issue=3|pages=183–185|doi=10.1515/abpr.2008.007|issn=1865-8717|access-date=1 May 2024|archive-date=14 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211114155151/https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/abpr.2008.007/html|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}}</ref>
| rowspan="6" |<small>Awarded 15 June in Cape Town.</small> <small>Shortlisted in the English category were:</small>

* <small>''Blood Kin'' by [[Ceridwen Dovey]]</small>
* <small>''After Tear''s by [[Niq Mhlongo]]</small> 
* <small>''Plot Loss'' by [[Heinrich Troost]]</small> 
* <small>''No Man's Land'' by [[Carel van der Merwe]]</small>  
|-
|Afrikaans
|[[Etienne van Heerden]]
|''Asbesmiddag''
|-
|Nguni
|[[Phakamile Gongo]]
|''Ukutshona kweHotyazana''
|-
|SeSotho
|[[M.C. Mphahlele]]
|''Dilo tšela ke batho''
|-
|SeTsonga
|[[M.C. Lubisi]]
|''Xijahatana''
|-
|TshiVenda
| colspan="2" |No award
|-
| rowspan="7" |2007
|English
|[[Shaun Johnson (author)|Shaun Johnson]]
|''The Native Commissioner''
| rowspan="7" |<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Rosenthal|first=Jane|date=2007-06-21|title=M-Net Prize: Spoilt for choice|url=https://mg.co.za/article/2007-06-21-mnet-prize-spoilt-for-choice/|access-date=2021-11-13|website=The Mail & Guardian|language=en-ZA|archive-date=13 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211113113322/https://mg.co.za/article/2007-06-21-mnet-prize-spoilt-for-choice/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Accone|first=Darryl|date=2007-05-25|title=Enemy or promise?|url=https://mg.co.za/article/2007-05-25-enemy-or-promise/|access-date=2021-11-14|website=The Mail & Guardian|language=en-ZA|archive-date=14 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211114155143/https://mg.co.za/article/2007-05-25-enemy-or-promise/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2007-05-28|title=MNet Literary Awards Shortlists Announced|url=http://bookslive.co.za/blog/2007/05/28/mnet-literary-awards-shortlists-announced/|access-date=2021-11-13|website=Sunday Times Books|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2007-06-29|title=Lifetime achievement for Prof Mzilikazi Khumalo|url=https://www.artsmart.co.za/literature/archive/1060.html|access-date=2021-11-14|website=ArtSmart|archive-date=7 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507094340/https://artsmart.co.za/literature/archive/1060.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
| rowspan="7" |<small>Awarded 17 June in Cape Town.</small><small>Shortlisted in the English category were:</small>

* <small>''Green-eyed Thieves'' by [[Imraan Coovadia]]</small>
* <small>''How We Puried Puso'' by [[Morabo Morojele]]</small>
* <small>''My Mother's Lovers'' by [[Christopher Hope (novelist)|Christopher Hope]]</small>
* <small>''The Shadow Follows'' by [[David Medalie]]</small>
|-
|Afrikaans
|[[Ingrid Winterbach]]
|''Die boek van toeval en toeverlaat''
|-
|Nguni
|[[Kula Siphatheleni]]
|''Elowo Nalawo''
|-
|SeSotho
|[[Kabelo Kgatea|Kabelo Duncan Kgatea]]
|''Ntshware ka letsogo''
|-
|SeTsonga
| colspan="2" |No award
|-
|TshiVenda
| colspan="2" |No award
|-
|Lifetime Achievement
| colspan="2" |[[Mzilikazi Khumalo]]
|-
| rowspan="10" |2006
|English
| colspan="2" |No award
| rowspan="10" |<ref>{{Cite web|date=2006-06-30|title=Double makes trouble|url=https://mg.co.za/article/2006-06-30-double-makes-trouble/|access-date=2021-11-14|website=The Mail & Guardian|language=en-ZA|archive-date=13 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211113115336/https://mg.co.za/article/2006-06-30-double-makes-trouble/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| rowspan="10" |<small>Awarded at the [[Cape Town Book Fair]].{{efn-lr|In 2005-6, each language category honoured works in different genres (short fiction, long fiction, and prose).}}</small>
|-
| rowspan="3" |Afrikaans
|[[André Brink|André P. Brink]]
|''Bidsprinkaan''
|-
|[[Marita van der Vyver]]
|''Bestemmings''
|-
|[[I.L. de Villiers]]
|''Jerusalem tot Johannesburg''
|-
|Nguni
|[[Nelisile Thabisile Msimang]]
|''Umsebenzi Uyindlala''
|-
| rowspan="2" |SeSotho
|[[Mathediso Aletta Motimele]]
|''Ngwana wa Mpa''
|-
|[[Goitsemodimo L. Mancho]]
|''Wetsho ke a go rata''
|-
|SeTsonga
|[[S.J. Malungana]]
|''Swilo Swa Humelela''
|-
|TshiVenda
| colspan="2" |No award
|-
|Lifetime Achievement
| colspan="2" |[[Cynthia Marivate]]
|-
| rowspan="10" |2005
|English
|
|
| rowspan="10" |<ref>{{Cite web|date=2005|title=Literary awards: an update|url=https://www.westerncape.gov.za/text/2006/5/ma_06_literary.pdf|access-date=2011-11-14|website=Western Cape Government|archive-date=28 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230528205204/https://www.westerncape.gov.za/text/2006/5/ma_06_literary.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2005-06-28|title=M-Net Literary Awards 2005|url=https://www.artsmart.co.za/literature/archive/805.html|access-date=2021-11-14|website=ArtSmart|archive-date=14 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211114155136/https://www.artsmart.co.za/literature/archive/805.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
| rowspan="10" |
|-
| rowspan="3" |Afrikaans
|[[Marlene van Niekerk]]
|''Agaat''
|-
|[[Anoeschka von Meck]]
|''Vaselinetjie''
|-
|[[Charl-Pierre Naudé]]
|''In die geheim van die dag''
|-
| rowspan="2" |Nguni
|[[S.D. Khumalo]]
|''Isiqalo Esisha''
|-
|[[C. Nyanda]] and [[J.J. Thwala]]
|''Intathakusa''
|-
|SeSotho
|
|
|-
|SeTsonga
|
|
|-
|TshiVenda
|
|
|-
|Lifetime Achievement
| colspan="2" |[[Mazisi Kunene]]
|-
| rowspan="6" |2004
|English
|
|
| rowspan="6" |<ref name=":2" />
| rowspan="6" |
|-
|Afrikaans
|[[Dan Sleigh]]
|''Eilande''
|-
|Nguni
|[[M.J. Mngadi]]
|''Iziboshwa Zothando''
|-
|SeSotho
| colspan="2" |No award
|-
|SeTsonga
| colspan="2" |No award
|-
|TshiVenda
| colspan="2" |No award
|-
| rowspan="6" |2003
|English
|
|
| rowspan="6" |<ref>{{Cite web|date=2003-07-20|title=Young author wins prestigious prize|url=https://www.artsmart.co.za/literature/archive/472.html|access-date=2021-11-14|website=ArtSmart|archive-date=7 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507100527/https://artsmart.co.za/literature/archive/472.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
| rowspan="6" |<small>Awarded in Cape Town.</small>
|-
|Afrikaans
|
|
|-
|Nguni
|[[Nakanjani G. Sibiya]]
|''Kuxolelwa abanjani?''
|-
|SeSotho
|
|
|-
|SeTsonga
|
|
|-
|TshiVenda
|[[Jemima L. Phaswana]]
|''Isha la mitodzi''
|-
| rowspan="6" |2002
|English
|
|
| rowspan="6" |
| rowspan="6" |
|-
|Afrikaans
|
|
|-
|Nguni
|
|
|-
|SeSotho
|
|
|-
|SeTsonga
|
|
|-
|TshiVenda
|
|
|-
| rowspan="6" |2001
|English
|[[Zoe Wicomb]]
|''David's Story''
| rowspan="6" |<ref>{{Cite web|last=De Waal|first=Shaun|date=2001-11-01|title=Wicomb takes M-Net prize|url=https://mg.co.za/article/2001-11-01-wicomb-takes-mnet-prize/|access-date=2021-11-14|website=The Mail & Guardian|language=en-ZA|archive-date=14 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211114155140/https://mg.co.za/article/2001-11-01-wicomb-takes-mnet-prize/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| rowspan="6" |<small>Shortlisted in the English category were:</small>
* <small>''Quiet Violence of Dreams'' by [[K. Sello Duiker]]</small>
* <small>''Shark's Egg'' by [[Henrietta Rose-Innes]]</small>
|-
|Afrikaans
|[[Etienne van Heerden]]
|''Die swye van Mario Salviati''
|-
|Nguni
|[[M.J. Mngadi]]
|''Ifa Ngukufa''
|-
|SeSotho
|[[Kabelo Kgatea|Kabelo Duncan Kgatea]]
|''Njeng manong fa ke sule!'' 
|-
|SeTsonga
|[[N. Phaswana]]
|''Tshi do Lilwa''
|-
|TshiVenda
|[[N.B. Mkhari]]
|''Mbilu ya Wanuna''
|-
| rowspan="6" |2000
|English
|
|
| rowspan="6" |<ref name=":1" />
| rowspan="6" |<small>Shortlisted in the English category were:</small>
* <small>''[[Disgrace]]'' by [[J. M. Coetzee]]</small>
* <small>''Frieda and Min'' by [[Pamela Jooste]]</small>
* <small>''Gods of our Time'' by [[Mongane Wally Serote]]</small> 
* <small>''Manly Pursuits'' by [[Ann Harries]]</small>
* <small>''The Prodigal Husband'' by [[Lazarus Miti]]</small>{{efn-lr|Shortlisted in the Afrikaans category were ''Boendoe'' by [[Chris Barnard (author)|Chris Barnard]], ''Buller se Plan'' by [[Ingrid Winterbach]], ''Draaijakkals'' by [[George Weideman]], ''Vos'' by [[Anna M. Louw]] and ''Wegkomkans'' by [[Marita van der Vyver]]; in the SeSotho category, ''Kodiyamalla'' by [[N.P. Maake]], ''Lehlaba la lephako'' by T.W.D. Mohapi, and ''TsHwara thebe ka mallela'' by M.B. Tsolo; and in the Nguni category, ''Loyishayile Sewuyosile'' by [[J.J. Ncongwane]].}}
|-
|Afrikaans
|
|
|-
|Nguni
|[[J.J. Ncongwane]]
|''Loyishayile Sewuyosile''
|-
|SeSotho
|
|
|-
|SeTsonga
|
|
|-
|TshiVenda
|
|
|-
| rowspan="6" |1999
|English
|[[Mehlaleng Mosotho]]
|''The Tikeline Yuppie''
| rowspan="6" |<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite book|last1=Graan|first1=Mike Van|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YDLV7JfBTWoC&q=James+Mafela+Mudi|title=The South African Handbook on Arts and Culture 2002/2003|last2=Ballantyne|first2=Tammy|date=2002|publisher=David Philip|isbn=978-0-86486-506-9|language=en}}</ref>
| rowspan="6" |
|-
|Afrikaans
|[[Christoffel Coetzee]]
|''Op soek na General Mannetjies Mentz''
|-
|Nguni
|[[Livingstone Lubabalo Ngewu]]
|''Koda Kube nina na?''
|-
|SeSotho
|[[Lazarus M. Malebana]]
|''Hlabang tlou ka diloka''
|-
|SeTsonga
|[[Conny Masocha Lubisi]]
|''I Vutomi''
|-
|TshiVenda
|[[Sampson Nditsheni Mahamba]]
|''Magala a vhahali''
|-
| rowspan="6" |1998
|English
|[[Ken Barris]]
|''The Jailer's Book''
| rowspan="6" |<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" />
| rowspan="6" |
|-
|Afrikaans
|[[Piet van Rooyen]]
|''Die olifantjagters''
|-
|Nguni
|[[M.J. Mngadi]]
|''Ashiko ndawo bakithi''
|-
|SeSotho
|[[Peter Tseole]]
|''Kgori e bona lee''
|-
|SeTsonga
|[[Gertrude Siphiwe Shabangu]]
|''N'wananga''
|-
|TshiVenda
|[[Azwianewi Elvis Maisha]]
|''Mme a nndwa dzothe''
|-
| rowspan="6" |1997
|English
|[[Zakes Mda]]
|''Ways of Dying''
| rowspan="6" |<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" />
| rowspan="6" |
|-
|Afrikaans
|[[Karel Schoeman]]
|''Verkenning''
|-
|Nguni
|[[Ncedile Saule]]
|''Ukhozi Olumaphiko''
|-
|SeSotho
|[[Ramadimetja Ruth Phasha]]
|''Ke Sehlola''
|-
|SeTsonga
|[[Ndhuma Benneth Mkhari]]
|''Nkhavi wa le Ndzhaku''
|-
|TshiVenda
|[[James Mafela]]
|''Mudi Ndi Wanga''
|-
| rowspan="6" |1996
|English
|[[Mark Behr]]
|''The Smell of Apples''
| rowspan="6" |<ref name=":1" />
| rowspan="6" |
|-
|Afrikaans
|[[Andrew Henry Martin Scholtz|A.H.M Scholtz]]
|''Vatmaar''
|-
|Nguni
|[[Rayman Fumanekile Mcimeli]]
|''Kazi ndenzeni na''
|-
|SeSotho
|[[Kgotso P.D. Maphalla]]
|''Bashemane ba Dibataolong''
|-
|SeTsonga
|[[N.R. Mgiba]]
|''Vutomi i Vhilwa''
|-
|TshiVenda
|[[Patrick Maanda Nefefe]]
|''Mato a penya mitodzi''
|-
| rowspan="4" |1995
|English
|[[Dianne Hofmeyr]]
|''Boikie, You Better Believe It'' 
| rowspan="4" |<ref name=":1" />
| rowspan="4" |
|-
|Afrikaans
|[[Marlene van Niekerk]]
|''Triomf''
|-
|Nguni
|[[J.C. Buthelezi]]
|''Impi yabomdabu isethunjini''
|-
|SeSotho
|[[N.P. Maake]]
|''Kweetsa ya pelo ya motho''
|-
| rowspan="5" |1994
|English
|[[Justin Cartwright]]
|''Masai Dreaming''
| rowspan="5" |<ref name=":1" />
| rowspan="5" |
|-
|Afrikaans
|[[Lettie Viljoen]]
|''Karolina Ferreira''
|-
|Nguni
|[[G.A. Malindzisa]]
|''Sihonga''
|-
| rowspan="2" |SeSotho
|[[N.P. Maake]]
|''Sejamonna ha se moto gete''
|-
|[[S.A. Mamadi]]
|''Mahlagahlaga a Mafulang''
|-
| rowspan="2" |1993
|English
|[[John Eppel]]
|''D.G.G. Berry’s The Great North Road''
| rowspan="2" |<ref name=":1" />
| rowspan="2" |
|-
|Afrikaans
|[[Marita van der Vyver]]
|''Griet skryf ‘n sprokie''
|-
| rowspan="2" |1992
|English
|[[Tony Spencer-Smith]]
|''The Man Who Snarled at Flowers''
| rowspan="2" |<ref name=":1" />
| rowspan="2" |
|-
|Afrikaans
|[[John Miles (author)|John Miles]]
|''Kroniek uit die doofpot''
|-
| rowspan="2" |1991
|English
|[[Lesley Beake]]
|''A Cageful of Butterflies''
| rowspan="2" |<ref name=":1" />
| rowspan="2" |
|-
|Afrikaans
|[[Jeanne Goosen]]
|''Ons is nie almal so nie''
|}

{{notelist-lr}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
*[https://www.indiana.edu/~libsalc/africa/scripts/awards1.php?award=37 M-Net Literary Awards], ''African Book Awards Database'', Indiana University
[[Category:South African literary awards]]
[[Category:Awards established in 1991]]
[[Category:1991 establishments in South Africa]]
[[Category:South African fiction awards]]
[[Category:South African literary events]]
[[Category:Awards disestablished in 2013]]
[[Category:2013 disestablishments in South Africa]]