Dr Karina Sevenhuysen was recently awarded the Protea Book House Award. This prize is awarded annually and rotates between a published work, the best master dissertation and the best doctoral thesis in History or Cultural History in Afrikaans. Dr Sevenhuysen, a lecturer in the Department of Historical and Heritage Studies (DHHS) at the University of Pretoria, received the prize in 2024 for her DPhil thesis with the title “Model native townships” in Suid-Afrika: “The pinnacle of perfection”? ’n Historiese evaluering, ca. 1900’s – 1940’s” (“Model native townships” in South Africa: “The pinnacle of perfection”? A historical evaluation, ca. 1900s – 1940s”).

She is a historian with a focus on urbanisation, specifically black urbanisation in South Africa. Both as a student and as a lecturer she investigated the problematic terrain of black urbanisation and urban government control in South Africa, a lasting legacy that still pervades the functioning of many South African cities. Both her master's and doctoral studies analysed the segregation period (1905-1948) in the history of South Africa — a period that is often neglected in historical research due to the dominance of the history of apartheid.

She received this award on 20 September during the annual awards of the South African Academy of Science and Arts. At the event, Prof. Johann Tempelhoff from North-West University praised Dr Sevenhuysen for her thorough research and unique perspective. In turn, Dr Sevenhuysen expressed her admiration and gratitude to him and others who supported her along the way. She also acknowledged her husband and daughter for their ongoing support and singled out her supervisor, Prof Karen L Harris, Head of the Department of the DHHS, joking that the completion of her PhD was Harris’ biggest achievement. The DHHS congratulates her for this outstanding achievement!