All three awards have been conferred every year since 1993.
Such an award is often conferred upon retirement of a staff member.
Since 1961, the awards were conferred also for the lifetime work.
From 1950 to 1982 this award was conferred on one or more writers for a particular outstanding work of him.
In 2004 and 2005, again this award was conferred on one or more writers for a particular outstanding work.
Two awards for 2009 were conferred in his memory.
Since that year, these awards have been conferred only for exceptional achievements in the field of arts.
The award is being conferred by the ruling Xhosa king.
The award is conferred annually for literary works considered the best in various genres.
Since 2006 this award again is being conferred to one or more writers as a recognition of their lifetime achievement.
