J.M. Coetzee hailed as one of the best

Coetzee wins the Nobel Laureate for literature

The University of Cape Town (UCT) today called JM Coetzee one of most notable novelists of the modern epoch.

UCT vice-chancellor, Professor Njabulo S Ndebele, said: "This prestigious award confirms Coetzee's sustained international acclaim as one of the finest writers of the twentieth century. We are proud to have shared in Coetzee's brilliant contribution to South African literature over many years. This is a proud moment for South Africa. The country of Coetzee's birth has now produced a second Nobel Laureate for literature."

Ndebele said Coetzee, who was a graduate of UCT, joined the university's staff in 1972 as a lecturer in the English department. Between 1972 and 1983 he rose through the ranks becoming associate professor.

In 1984 Coetzee was appointed Professor of General Literature and in 1994 Arderne Professor in English. He was made Distinguished Professor in the Faculty of Humanities in 1999 and retired in January 2002.

Coetzee had a string of international literary awards, including the Booker McConnell Prize, which he won twice, in 1984 for The Life and Times of Michael K, and in 1999 for Disgrace.

Ndebele said: "He was the first author to be honoured in this way...He is also a major figure in the development of UCT's creative writing programmes and has contributed generously to the nurturing of South Africa's future authors."

Stephen Watson, Head of UCT's English department said: "He has been one of the great modernisers of South African literature seeing many of South Africa's (and humanity's) dilemmas through a sensibility saturated in European authors from Dostoyevsky to Kafka."

Coetzee is attached to the University of Adelaide in Australia but is currently spending a term at the University of Chicago in the United States.

NNP hails Coetzee
The New National Party (NNP) said Coetzee was worthy of a place in the world's literary heritage.

"I want to congratulate JM Coetzee, who was born in Cape Town, for being awarded the prize," said Marthinus van Schalkwyk, premier of the Western Cape. He said the province consistently produced achievers of world-class calibre whose talents and accomplishments brought honour to all.

Van Schalkwyk said the prize was a fitting homage to a wordsmith who has succeeded in skillfully mastering his art.

"It is also a further demonstration of the world class achievements of the people of our province, not only in sport but in the arena of cultural and creative pursuits. As only the second South African to win this coveted award, Mr Coetzee has consistently proven, to both his admirers and critics alike, that his work is worthy of a place in the world's literary heritage."

Inka Mars, the Inkatha Freedom Party MP, expressed "delight and joy" at the news that Coetzee had been honoured by the Swedish Academy. Mars said his literary works, "remind us of CS Lewis's touching observation that 'we read to know we are not alone'." - Sapa