How The AVBOB Poetry Competition 2023 Winners Inspire All Future Entrants

The evening of the 20th of September this year kicked off in style at the prestigious Pretoria Country Club, where The AVBOB Poetry Competition 2023 gala was held. Eleven victors were proudly awarded, each representing one of South Africa’s official languages. Not only did this night shine a spotlight on the phenomenal talent we have within our nation, but it paid poignant homage to our rich traditions, cultures, and languages. In honouring 2023’s literary champions, we hope to inspire new entrants to join our current competition and, perhaps, join us for next year’s gala as a winner too.

The AVBOB Poetry Competition 2023 Gala

This year’s gala was a radiant night to remember, highlighted by local talent in attendance and a shared love for South African poetry. AVBOB CEO Carl van der Riet again reiterated the importance of the project and its significance in South Africa, “Poetry is an incredibly creative art form that celebrates different heritages and different cultures within our country – and it allows one to express one’s culture and one’s heritage in unique ways.” Van der Riet went on to say in his keynote speech that since its inception, the project has empowered poets to embrace their mother tongues and that this year, an astounding 55% of all submitted poems were crafted in South Africa’s diverse vernacular languages. The AVBOB Poetry library collection represents this colourful tapestry, housing almost 21,000 poems, with each poet receiving a well-deserved usage fee of R300. This means that The AVBOB Poetry Project has invested over R6,2 million in supporting the talents of South African poets since the competition first began in 2017.

Guests of The AVBOB Poetry Competition 2023 gala were captivated by the world-class performance of the gifted vocal ensemble, Just 6. Their gorgeous fusion of acapella voices married the essence of indigenous African melodies with flawless harmonies. This infectious and enthusiastic performance paved the way for the evening’s charismatic host, Bolele Polisa, to graciously introduce each poet t riumphant in their category. The first-place prize winners, in alphabetical order of language category, were:

• Afrikaans: Natalie Goetsch
• English: Lethube Hellen Phaladi
• isiNdebele: Nkululeko Mthembu
• isiXhosa: Siphosakhe Gogo
• isiZulu: Zimkhitha Mbhele
• Sepedi: Mahlogonolo Shilela Masehla
• Sesotho: Brian Makara
• Setswana: Mosimanegape Jasone
• Siswati: Prisca Nkosi
• Tshivenḓa: Rokunda Mulovhedzi
• Xitsonga: Bongani Hlungwani

Prizes Received by the Winners

In each language category of The AVBOB Poetry Competition 2023, our esteemed winners were honoured with more than just recognition; they received a grand prize package consisting of a R10 000 in cash, a R2 500 book voucher to further enrich their literary journeys, and a beautiful trophy to mark their win.

As a special gesture, every guest in attendance also took home a copy of the eagerly awaited annual anthology, “I Wish I’d Said... Vol. 6”, which was launched at the gala. Within the anthology, readers will get to enjoy the top six poems from each language category presented alongside their English translations. Alongside the winning entries and translations, you’ll also delve into a selection of thoughtfully commissioned poems. The anthology pays tribute to South Africa’s rich heritage, including six Khoisan texts sourced from the historic Bleek and Lloyd collection. This compilation was curated by none other than our Editor-in-Chief of the competition, Johann de Lange, in collaboration with Agnes Mawela, the Tshivenḓa Editor for the contest.

Learning to Write Your Own Poetry

As the 2024 AVBOB Poetry Competition draws near its closing date on the 30th of November 2023, professional and amateur poets alike can seize their opportunity to make their mark. Now is your time to step into the limelight and see your verses on our website and other platforms. This isn’t just another competition, however, it’s a gateway to your literary dream come true. Imagine your work nestled alongside that of other esteemed poets in our anthology – it’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. To embark on this poetic journey, simply get started by registering and following the user-friendly prompts to create your profile. As you prepare to write and submit your poem, it’s crucial to familiarise yourself with the competition’s terms and conditions, ensuring your entry adheres to the editorial guidelines and all the rules. The mic is yours, the stage is set, and your chance awaits you now!

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