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Poetry for the people | 2027 AVBOB Poetry Competition opens
2 days ago
The 2027 AVBOB Poetry Competition opens its doors for entries in all of South Africa’s 11 official written languages on 1 August 2026. As before, generous cash prizes are available to winning entries.
Once again, South Africans from all walks of life are invited to find words of love and hope, consolation, courage and new beginnings. 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 glittering AVBOB Poetry trophy.
AVBOB Executive Adriaan Bester notes, “Each year we are moved by the depth and honesty of the entries we receive. By now, the AVBOB Poetry Library contains close to 30 000 poems, and entering new poems has become an annual ritual for many poets nationwide. When the competition was first launched, we could not have imagined that it would have such an impact, across so many languages and walks of life.
“When we feel most deeply, whether it is joy or sorrow, we are often at a loss for words. It is at such times that we turn to poetry for courage, consolation and clarity. And as we join that deep poetic conversation, some of us will be moved to find the best words for our own deepest feelings.
“That is why the goal of the annual AVBOB Poetry Competition has always been to create a single platform on which all South Africans can express their deepest emotions and feel themselves represented. Today, this archive of poems stands as a record of the ongoing conversation between poets and readers, spanning almost a decade.”
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 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, editorial guidelines, and articles featuring successful poets. A series of FREE online workshops, hosted both during and after the submission period, has continued with great success throughout this year. In the course of these workshops, participants are exposed to the insights and ideas of experienced poets and publishers. (Workshop details are shared via AVBOB Poetry’s social media channels).
To participate in the 2027 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 2026 and 30 November 2026. Who knows? You might just be one of the winners!
Once again, South Africans from all walks of life are invited to find words of love and hope, consolation, courage and new beginnings. 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 glittering AVBOB Poetry trophy.
AVBOB Executive Adriaan Bester notes, “Each year we are moved by the depth and honesty of the entries we receive. By now, the AVBOB Poetry Library contains close to 30 000 poems, and entering new poems has become an annual ritual for many poets nationwide. When the competition was first launched, we could not have imagined that it would have such an impact, across so many languages and walks of life.
“When we feel most deeply, whether it is joy or sorrow, we are often at a loss for words. It is at such times that we turn to poetry for courage, consolation and clarity. And as we join that deep poetic conversation, some of us will be moved to find the best words for our own deepest feelings.
“That is why the goal of the annual AVBOB Poetry Competition has always been to create a single platform on which all South Africans can express their deepest emotions and feel themselves represented. Today, this archive of poems stands as a record of the ongoing conversation between poets and readers, spanning almost a decade.”
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 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, editorial guidelines, and articles featuring successful poets. A series of FREE online workshops, hosted both during and after the submission period, has continued with great success throughout this year. In the course of these workshops, participants are exposed to the insights and ideas of experienced poets and publishers. (Workshop details are shared via AVBOB Poetry’s social media channels).
To participate in the 2027 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 2026 and 30 November 2026. Who knows? You might just be one of the winners!
