Ingrid Jonker Prize
いんぐりっど・じょんかーしょう
Annual South African literary award given to debut poetry collections written in Afrikaans or English.
PoetryDebut literary awardSouth African literary awardAfrikaans/English
- Established
- 1965
- Organizer
- Ingrid Jonker Prize Committee (administered by Prof. Marius Crous, Nelson Mandela University)
- Category
- Poetry and Contemporary Poetry
- Selection Method
- Recommendation
- Target
- Newcomer
- Frequency
- 1 per year
- Status
- Active
Description
The Ingrid Jonker Prize is an annual South African award established in memory of the late Ingrid Jonker, presented to the best debut poetry collection in Afrikaans or English. Eligible works are typically debut poetry collections published within the past two years, with awards alternating between Afrikaans and English recipients. The prize includes R10,000 (Rand) and a medal.
Prize
- Main Prize
- Cash prize (R10,000) and medal awarded
- Cash Prize
- 10,000 ZAR
- Medal
Selection
Selection Process
| Stage | Judges | Pass Rate | Announcement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligibility check (candidate identification) | Award committee checks candidate works from debut poetry collections published in the past two years | — | Candidates selected within the committee |
| Shortlist selection | Selection committee (poets, critics, etc.) | — | Shortlist may be published depending on the year |
| Final selection and winner determination | Selection committee (final vote) | — | Winner announced officially and via media |
Eligibility check (candidate identification)
Judges
Award committee checks candidate works from debut poetry collections published in the past two years
Announcement
Candidates selected within the committee
Shortlist selection
Judges
Selection committee (poets, critics, etc.)
Announcement
Shortlist may be published depending on the year
Final selection and winner determination
Judges
Selection committee (final vote)
Announcement
Winner announced officially and via media
Criteria
- Must be a debut poetry collection (first solo poetry book)
- Published within the past two years
- Written in Afrikaans or English (awards alternate by language)
- Literary quality of poetry, originality, technical excellence
Application Tips
Dos
- 応募対象が『デビュー詩集（初の単著詩集）』であることを確認する
- 刊行日・出版社など出版情報を明確に示す（過去2年以内が対象）
- 作品の言語（英語またはアフリカーンス語）を明記する
- 原稿の校正・編集を入念に行い、詩作の完成度を高める
- 選考傾向（音声性、言語感覚、独創性）を意識して作品を整える
Don''ts
- デビュー条件を満たしていない作品を応募しない（既刊の単行本など）
- 言語要件に合わない作品を応募しない（英語／アフリカーンス語以外）
- 応募規定や締切を無視して提出しない
- 校正や体裁を怠った状態で提出しない
From Judges
- 強い個性（voice）と独自の視点が重視される
- 言語の音感やリズム、行間の働きを大切にすること
- 技術的な完成度と内容の誠実さ（テーマの深さ）を評価する
- デビューであっても作品全体の統一感・編集の精度が重要
Related Awards
- Awards related to PEN South Africa
- Sasol New Signatures (newcomer award, including poetry category)
- Caine Prize for African Writing
- Poetry and newcomer awards or fellowships in South Africa
Past Winners
Megan Hall
Winner
Danie Marais
Winner
Rustum Kozain
Winner
Ilse van Staden
Winner
Finuala Dowling
Winner
Martjie Bosman
Winner
Kobus Moolman
Winner
Brian Walter
Winner
Trienke Laurie
Winner