(Revised 2019, 2020, 2026)

1. Purpose

The Andrew Murray-Desmond Tutu Prize Fund (hereinafter referred to as “the Fund”) aims to promote excellence in the Christian media and music by awarding work of high quality in Afrikaans and other languages of South Africa, and by making awards to deserving persons and institutions.

2. The Prizes

2.1 The Andrew Murray Prize for Afrikaans Christian Books is awarded every two years, as far as possible, to the author or authors of the best general Christian book that appeared in the preceding period (see 4.5). All original Afrikaans books, except scientific theological works, are eligible for this prize. The prize may consist of a certificate and a cash sum.

2.2 The Andrew Murray Prize for Afrikaans Theological Books is awarded every two years, as far as possible, to the author or authors of the best scholarly theological book in Afrikaans that appeared in the preceding period (see 4.5). The prize may consist of a certificate and a cash sum.

2.3 The Andrew Murray-Desmond Tutu Prize for General Christian Books is awarded every two years, as far as possible, to the author or authors of the best general Christian book that appeared in an official language of South Africa, excluding Afrikaans, in the preceding period (see 4.5). The author, or most of the authors of the winning book must be citizen(s) of South Africa or Namibia (dual citizenship is permitted). If more than one author is involved in the book, citizens of South Africa must have made a substantial contribution to it. The prize may consist of a certificate and a cash sum.

2.4 The Andrew Murray-Desmond Tutu Prize for Theological Books is awarded every two years, as far as possible, to the author or authors of the best scholarly theological book that appeared in the preceding period (see 4.5) in an official language of South Africa, excluding Afrikaans. The author or most of the authors of the winning book must be citizen(s) of South Africa or Namibia (dual citizenship is permitted). If more than one author is involved in the book, citizens of South Africa must have made a substantial contribution to it. The prize may consist of a certificate and a cash sum.

2.5 The Desmond Tutu-Gerrit Brand Prize for Emerging Writers is awarded annually, as far as possible, to an emerging or debut author(s) in the Christian media in an official language of South Africa. The author or most of the authors of the winning book must be citizen(s) of South Africa or Namibia (dual citizenship is permitted). If more than one author is involved in the book, citizens of South Africa must have made a substantial contribution to it. The prize may consist of a certificate and a cash sum.

3. The Awards

3.1 The Jaap Durand-Denise Ackermann Award for Unity, Justice and Reconciliation is awarded annually, as far as possible, from funds made available by Jannie Durand of Remgro to a person who has made or contributed to unity, justice and reconciliation in a special way, as it is expressed in the Confession of Belhar. The award may consist of a certificate and a cash sum.

3.2 The CLF-Elise Tempelhoff Award for Environmental Conservation is awarded annually, as far as possible, from funds made available by the Christian Literature Fund (CLF) to a person who has made a special contribution in the field of environmental conservation. The award may consist of a certificate and a cash sum.

3.3 A special Andrew Murray or Andrew Murray-Desmond Tutu award may, if the EC (see 4) so decides, be awarded to a person or institution who has made an extraordinary contribution to any form of the Christian media in an official language of South Africa. The award may consist of a certificate and a cash sum.

3.4 The Reverend Andries Dreyer Award: Church History Research is awarded, as far as possible, annually from funds made available by the Dutch Reformed Church (NG) in South Africa to a person or institution who promotes Southern African church history, based on primary or archival sources, by means of publications, media or other projects for the benefit of the broader society. The award may consist of a certificate and a cash sum.

3.5 The Andrew Murray-SAKOV Award: Church Music is awarded as far as possible annually from funds made available by the Southern African Church and Concert Organist Association (SAKOV) to a person or institution who substantially contributed to the promotion of Southern African church music by means of publications, media or other projects of public interest. The award may consist of a certificate and a cash sum.

4. Members of the Fund

4.1 The members of the Fund consist of one representative from each of the institutions or persons who have joined the Fund as donors in an agreed manner and have chosen to be members of the Fund.

4.2 If any member resigns or, for whatever reason, ceases to be a representative of any of the institutions mentioned above, that institution may nominate another representatiave as a member and notify the EC (see 4) accordingly.

4.3 The members of the Fund meet at least once a year as a Members’ Meeting. The Members’ Meeting can also complete its work electronically or by correspondence.

4.4 The Members’ Meeting approves the Ground Rules and amendments thereto, elects a chairperson and vice-chairperson every three years, elects the members of the EC (see 4), discusses and takes decisions on matters of interest to the Fund, including financial matters and statements, and may refer matters to the EC for consideration or settlement.

4.5 A quorum for the Members’ Meeting consists of the presence of at least 40% (forty per cent) of the members in person or by proxy. In the event of a tie, the chairperson has a casting vote.

4.6The Fund has legal personality, and the chairperson may institute or defend legal proceedings on behalf of and with the approval of the Members’ Meeting in any court in the Republic of South Africa.

5. The Executive Council (EC)

5.1 The EC consists of seven (7) members, including the chairperson and vice-chairperson, and is chosen by the Members’ Meeting with terms that vary so that at least two (2) members retire annually (who can be re-elected).

5.2 The chairperson and deputy chairperson of the Members’ Meeting are also the chairperson and deputy chairperson of the EC, with terms of three (3) years each (see 3.4).

5.3 The EC ensures that the Fund is managed in accordance with the Ground Rules, decides which prizes and awards will be made and when, approves the winners’ prizes and awards and their value in accordance with 4.9 and 4.10, and considers any other relevant matter that may be presented by members of the Fund or by the Members’ Meeting. The EC decides on the way the Fund can be financially strengthened, decides on investments, approves expenses, annually ensures that audited financial statements are presented to the Members’ Meeting and meets as often as necessary. Minutes of meetings of the EC are regularly sent to members of the Fund for their information.

5.4 The EC decides which person(s) and/or institution(s) are responsible for the administration of the Fund and reports on this to the Members’ Meeting.

5.5 The EC annually approaches media institutions to enter high-quality products for the prizes that have seen the light of day in the preceding period, the length of which the EC decides each time.

5.6 The EC may decide that products that are not entered in this way should be considered for the prizes.

5.7 A product may, where appropriate, be considered for prizes more than once with the approval of the EC, but a winner in a particular category cannot subsequently also be entered in another category.

5.8 The EC appoints expert persons to assess, independently of each other, the entries for the various prizes, and to provide the EC with motivated recommendations.

5.9 The EC decides in light of the recommendations which products/persons should be awarded. Members are given the opportunity to comment on this decision before it is made public.

5.10      In the case of awards, the EC asks for nominations from members and decides on them after consultation with experts and members.

5.11      An appropriate honorarium, as approved by the EC, may be paid to adjudicators.

5.12      A quorum of the EC is formed by the presence of five (5) members. In the event of a tie, the chairperson has a casting vote. Voting by proxy is allowed. The EC may conduct its business electronically or by correspondence.

Amendment

These Ground Rules may be amended by the members of the Fund after prior notice of at least twenty-one (21) days and with a two-thirds majority.

6. Dissolution

6.1 If a two-thirds majority of the members of the Fund so decide, the Fund will be dissolved.

6.2 In the event of such dissolution, the Fund’s investments will be called up, necessary expenses will be met from the funds, and the balance will be transferred to an institution that will best serve the objectives of the Fund.