The 2025 AVBOB Poetry Competition officially opens for entries on 1 August 2024. This prestigious contest invites poets from all corners of South Africa to submit their original works in any of the South Africa's 11 official written languages. With generous cash prizes awaiting the winning entries, this is a golden opportunity for talented wordsmiths to shine.
Once again AVBOB is asking South Africans from all walks of life to submit their finest words of love, hope, courage and consolation. As before, participants can enter poems on the themes of love, death, birth and hope. In a dynamic update that echoes AVBOB's commitment to celebrating life's transformative moments, we are delighted to unveil the newest theme for the AVBOB Poetry Competition. Aptly titled New Beginnings, this fifth theme invites poets to explore the exhilarating possibilities of a fresh start and the profound joy of embarking on new chapters in life.
As we embrace a forward-thinking vision, we encourage poets of all backgrounds to share their tales of resilience, hope, and the boundless optimism that accompanies new beginnings (even on the back of adversity). Join us in commemorating the magic of starting anew and the infinite potential that lies ahead.
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.
Carl van der Riet, AVBOB CEO, notes, "Even though the competition has become an annual ritual for so many, we are deeply moved each time by the depth and honesty of the entries we receive. When we feel most deeply, whether it is joy or sorrow, we often turn to poetry for companionship, consolation and clarity. It is at such times that we are most likely to find the best words to express our most profound emotions. And so, the goal of the AVBOB Poetry Competition has been, and will always be, to create a single platform on which South Africans can share their innermost feelings. The AVBOB Poetry website already contains more than 22 000 poems. When this competition was launched, we could never have dreamed of such an archive, across languages and social barriers."
Poets may submit up to 10 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. This includes expert advice, articles featuring successful poets, and editorial guidelines. A series of free online workshops, hosted both 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 AVBOB Poetry Competition, simply register on www.avbobpoetry.co.za. Enter up to 10 poems in any of South Africa's official written languages between 1 August and 30 November 2024. Who knows? You might be one of the lucky winners!
