Poets from all corners of South Africa are invited to submit their original work in any of South Africa’s 11 official written languages for the 2025 Avbob Poetry Competition. Entries open on Thursday, 1 August.
With generous cash prizes awaiting the winning entries, this is a golden opportunity for talented wordsmiths to shine.
As before, participants can enter poems on the themes of love, death, birth and hope.
The newest and fifth theme for the competition is titled “New Beginnings”. This theme invites poets to explore the exhilarating possibilities of a fresh start and the profound joy of embarking on new chapters in life.
The strongest entries in each language category will be published in the online Avbob Poetry Library, earning the poet a R300 publication fee.
First-place winners in each language category will receive a grand prize of R12 500. This includes R10 000 in cash, a R2 500 book voucher, and the sought-after Avbob Poetry Trophy.
“We are deeply moved each time by the depth and honesty of the entries we receive,” noted Carl van der Riet, Avbob chief executive officer (CEO).
“When we feel most deeply, whether it is joy or sorrow, we often turn to poetry for companionship, consolation and clarity.
Poets may submit up to ten poems via the online dashboard.
The top three poems in each language category will be featured in the annual print anthology. All shortlisted poems will be translated into English in the spirit of promoting understanding and fellow feeling among South Africans.
The Avbob Poetry blog and social media platforms offer tips on how to get started, as well as pointers and advice from the judges. A range of free resources is also available on the Avbob Poetry website to support and encourage aspiring poets.
A series of free online workshops, hosted during and after the competition submission period, has continued with great success throughout this year. These workshops expose participants to the insights and ideas of experienced poets and publishers.
To participate in the 2025 competition, writers can register on avbobpoetry.co.za.
The competition entry process for this year is set to close on 30 November.
