2022 South African Children’s Laureate Award.

I received exciting news recently... I was chosen as a recipient of the 2022 South African Children’s Laureate Award. This honour is awarded to a South African writer and/or illustrator of children's books, to celebrate their lifelong contribution and outstanding achievement in the field of children’s literature.
I was totally overwhelmed when I received the message of receiving the award, it took me quite a while to believe it and some time I even felt a bit afraid to spread the news in case there was a mistake. But it is a wonderful feeling that adults do look at ones work with care, and acknowledgment the amount of time and effort and passion, that goes into these stories and illustrations we create for children.

The other 3 recipients of the 2022 SA Children's Laureate Award are Marita van der Vyver and Marguerite Poland, and Chris van Wyk who receives the award posthumous (sadly Chris died in 2014). Congratulations - I feel honoured to be included on a list with you.

The SA Children’s Laureate award was given out for the first time last year, 2021, to 4 people. Niki Daly, Philip de Vos, Sindiwe Magona and Gcina Mhlophe.
 The awards will be presented during the at the 2022 South African Children's Book Festival (20 to 22 May 2022) held in Somerset West, near Cape Town. More information is available on their facebook page -A Festival of Children's Literature - Home | Facebook