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 an...

Do you believe that poetry is primarily self-centred; focused on the emotions of those who write it?   Arja Salafranca is an award-winning poet who has mastered the art of writing in the third person about characters who may or may not look like her. This month, she shared a short, moving third...

For thousands of years, poets have turned to the natural world for comfort, inspiration and companionship.   As we prepare to celebrate World Oceans Day on 8 June, The AVBOB Poetry Project is featuring the work and voice of Pralini Naidoo, poet, storyteller and writing facilitator. Her debut co...