Prof Willie Burger, Head of the Department of Afrikaans at the University of Pretoria received the kykNET-Rapport-prize as book reviewer of the year on Saturday, 24 September 2016. The prize of R25 000 was handed to Burger at the annual Rapport Prize giving where the prizes for best fiction, non fiction and film script with a total value of R500 000 were awarded.

Burger writes weekly reviews in Vrouekeur and a number of these reviews were nominated for the prize but he was rewarded for his longer review of Breyten Breytenbach's collection of political essays, Parool / Parole in Beeld.

According to the commendation, Burger's review offers an 'accessible, digestible unravelling of a complex text and it offers clear indicators for readers of a daily newspaper of ways to examine Breytenbach's work and philosophy. It is neither patronising nor condescending toward so called "ordinary readers" who do not necessarily have a Breytenbach book on the bedside table or on the book shelf but it also doesn't boast with obscure references for an initiated niche market. Also for those who are au fait with Breytenbach's work, Burger's review offers sensible enthralling reading (…) The review is a fragment of philosophy that lingers with the reader for a long time – a truly meaningful reading experience.'

Earlier this year Prof Burger also received a Caxton Excellence Reward for his book reviews in Vrouekeur.