Alba Bouwer Prize

あるば・ばうわーしょう

Prize for outstanding children's literature in Afrikaans, awarded triennially by the South African Academy of Science and Arts.

Children's literatureAfrikaans-language literatureChildren's book award

Established: 1989
Organizer: South African Academy of Science and Arts
Category: Children's Literature, Fairy Tales, and Picture Books
Selection Method: Selection
Target: Professional
Frequency: 3 per year
Status: Active

Description

The Alba Bouwer Prize (Afrikaans: Alba Bouwerprys vir Kinderliteratuur) recognises outstanding children's literature written in Afrikaans. It is awarded every three years by the South African Academy of Science and Arts. Eligible works should have been published within the preceding three years and be intended for readers under 12. The prize is named for children's author Alba Bouwer (1920–2010). Translations into Afrikaans have also been recognised among recipients.

Selection

Selection Process

Stage	Judges	Pass Rate	Announcement
Eligibility		—	Works qualifying for the prize should have been published within the preceding three years and be intended for readers under 12.
Selection	Panel appointed by the South African Academy of Science and Arts	—	—
Award announcement		—	Winner announced by the South African Academy of Science and Arts (timing: triennial award year).

Eligibility

Judges

Announcement Works qualifying for the prize should have been published within the preceding three years and be intended for readers under 12.

Selection

Judges Panel appointed by the South African Academy of Science and Arts

Award announcement

Judges

Announcement Winner announced by the South African Academy of Science and Arts (timing: triennial award year).

Criteria

Outstanding literary quality in Afrikaans children's literature
Published within the preceding three years
Intended for readers under 12
Suitability and appeal to child readers (age-appropriateness, clarity, narrative quality)

Application Tips

Dos

Ensure the work is in Afrikaans (or a recognised Afrikaans translation) and clearly state language/translator details.
Confirm the publication date falls within the preceding three years of the award year.
Specify the intended target age group (under 12) and provide age-appropriate supporting material.
Provide complete bibliographic and publication information and any relevant endorsements or reviews.
Contact the South African Academy of Science and Arts or check their official guidance for nomination/submission procedures.

Don''ts

Do not submit works published more than three years before the award year.
Do not present a manuscript without clear publication information or intended audience.
Avoid submitting works that are not primarily targeted at readers under 12.
Do not assume automatic consideration without following the Academy's nomination/submission process.

From Judges

Focus on clear storytelling, age-appropriate language and originality.
Demonstrate both literary quality and strong appeal to the target child audience.
For translated works, ensure accurate and high-quality translation and indicate the original source.