Background
He was born in Robertson, Western Cape, South Africa.
He was born in Robertson, Western Cape, South Africa.
1979: Recht Malan Prize for Geskiedenis van die Afrikaanse literatuur I 1987: Old Mutual Prize for Non fiction for D. J. Opperman 1988: Gustav Preller Prize for Literêre Kritiek 1996: Recht Malan Prize for Langenhoven: "n Lewe 2000: Recht Malan Prize and Helgaard Steyn Prize for Leipoldt: "n Lewensverhaal C. Louis Leipoldt Prize of the Maatschappij der Nederlandse letterkunde for Uys Krige en die Suid-Afrikaanse politiek 2003: N.P. van Wyk Louw Medal 2009 Doctor honoris causa, Stellenbosch University.