Background

The MER Award was established in 1983 and is awarded annually to the best children’s or young adult book published by National Press publishers during the previous year. The publishers are requested to present books of any genre that are judged by a panel. The only condition is that the books must be aimed at younger readers and that the authors and illustrators must be South African citizens. The award is named after MER (ME Rothman) for her groundbreaking work in the field of children’s literature and consists of a gold medal and a money prize. No distinction is made between English and Afrikaans books.

Since 2005 two awards have been made: one for youth literature and one for children’s literature.   

Awards (English titles in bold)

1984: Alba Bouwer vir Vlieg, swaeltjie, vlieg ver (Kaapstad: Tafelberg)

1985: Rona Rupert vir Al Everest se voëls (Kaapstad: Human &
           Rousseau)

1986: Dolf van Niekerk vir Die haasvanger (Kaapstad: Tafelberg)

1987: Geen toekenning nie

1988: Jenny Seed for Place among the stones (Cape Town:
           Tafelberg)

1989: Linda Rhode (samesteller) en Alida Bothma (illustreerder) van
           Goue fluit, my storie is uit (Kaapstad: Tafelberg)

1990: Lawrence Bransby for Down Street (Cape Town:
           Tafelberg)

1991: Corlia Fourie vir Die meisie wat soos ‘n bottervoël sing
           (Kaapstad: Human & Rousseau)

1992: Nel Swart vir Elk vir mekander (Kaapstad: Tafelberg)

1993: Allan Jermieson for The Delmonico Two O Five (Cape
           Town: Tafelberg)

1994: Elizabeth van der Merwe vir Kaljander van die Karoo
           (Kaapstad: Tafelberg)

1995: Corlia Fourie vir Die towersak en ander stories (Kaapstad:
           Human & Rousseau)

1996: Philip de Vos vir Moenie ‘n mielie kielie nie (Kaapstad: Human
           & Rousseau)

1997: Jenny Robson for One magic moment (Cape Town:
           Tafelberg)

1998: Leon de Villiers vir Die Pro (Kaapstad: Tafelberg)

1999: Barrie Hough vir Skilpoppe (Kaapstad: Tafelberg)

2000: Freda Linde vir Eenders en anders (Kaapstad: Human &
           Rousseau)

2001: Jan Vermeulen vir Geraamtes dra nie klere nie (Kaapstad:
           Tafelberg)

2002: Dianne Hofmeyr vir The Waterbearer (Cape Town:
           Tafelberg)

2005: Youth: Anoeschka von Melck vir Vaselinetjie

           Children: Wynand Louw for Mr Humperdinck's
           wonderful whatsit