The 11 winners of the 2024 AVBOB Poetry Competition, representing each of South Africa’s official written languages, were celebrated in grand style at the AVBOB Poetry Gala dinner on Wednesday, 18 September 2024 at the Pretoria Country Club.  The gala event showcased the rich cultural diversity of the country and highlighted AVBOB’s continued commitment to fostering linguistic heritage through the art of poetry.
 
AVBOB CEO, Carl van der Riet, delivered the keynote address, describing poetry as an essential toolkit for making sense of our most deeply felt experiences. As South Africans prepare to celebrate Heritage Day on 24 September, he paid tribute to a rich and diverse local poetry scene, saying, “I’m here to encourage every poet to reimagine life and explore the possibilities of what is and what could be. Poetry offers individuals and communities the freedom to express their innermost thoughts, bypassing logic and inviting us to listen with our hearts.”
 
He also proudly introduced a new category of the AVBOB Poetry Competition, “As we find ourselves in the seventh year of celebrating poetry, it’s rewarding to introduce a fresh element to the project, ensuring its longevity. We introduced New Beginnings as a fifth writing category this year, in addition to the original themes of Birth, Hope, Death and Love. This new theme invites poets from all walks of life to explore the possibilities of a fresh start and capture the joy of embarking on new journeys and chapters through the art of poetry.”
 
The winner in each language category of the AVBOB Poetry Competition secured a R10 000 cash prize, a R2 500 book voucher, and an elegant trophy. 
 
Each guest to the gala received a copy of the annual anthology, I Wish I’d Said… Vol. 7, which was launched at the event. The top six poems in each language appear in the anthology (each with an English translation). The anthology is rounded out by a selection of commissioned poems, as well as one Khoikhoi poem by prolific poet, Toroga Denver. This comprehensive collection was compiled by the Editor-in-Chief of the AVBOB Poetry Competition, Johann de Lange, and the Siswati Editor, Prof Stanley Madonsela.
 
According to de Lange, poetry has a unique ability to not only express what is profoundly personal but also to provide a shared language of mourning or celebration when we need it most. “When we read and write strong poetry, we remember that we are not alone. We know that others have been here before us, looking for words just as we are now. The wonderful thing about a competition such as this is that it encourages participants to reach deep inside themselves to find the words that keep hope alive.”
 
This year, attendees were entertained by violin and beatbox duo Beauty and the Beat, blending timeless music and modern poetry. Their vibrant soundscapes set the scene for the event’s emcee, Tumelo Mothotoane, who assisted in introducing each winner with AVBOB CEO, Carl van der Riet. Moving poetry performances were also delivered by Fezile Mpela, Siyasanga Papu, Hanli Rolfes and Nozi Langa.
 
In alphabetical order of language category, the 2024 AVBOB Poetry Prize (first place) winners are: Salvia Ockhuis (Afrikaans), Sarah Frost (English), Nosipho Noxolo Nxumalo (isiNdebele), Athi Simamkele Dyantyi (isiXhosa), Siyabonga Nxumalo (isiZulu), Moses Seletisha (Sepedi), Moeketsi Golden Mokotjo (Sesotho), Othusitse Moses Lobelo (Setswana), Junior Gcina Nkomo (Siswati), Humbulani Julia Tharaga (Tshivenḓa) and Amukelani Deborah Mashele (Xitsonga).
 
To order I Wish I’d Said… Vol. 7, SMS the word ‘POEM’ to 48423 (at a standard cost of R1,50 per SMS) to have it posted to you at a total cost of R240. Alternatively, email your order to tertia@naledi.co.za or find it at selected book-stores.
 
Visit www.avbobpoetry.co.za to access the AVBOB Poetry Library and to register for the 2025 AVBOB Poetry Competition (which is open for entries until 30 November 2024).
 
In alphabetical order of language category, the 2024 AVBOB Poetry Competition winners are:
 

Afrikaans winner	Name: Salvia Ockhuis Poem: Metafoor (vir Clement)
Runners-up	2nd place	3rd place	4th place	5th place	6th place
Poet	Diana Ferrus	Herman Jonker	Annami Simon	Natalie Goetsch	Basil Blom
Poem	Ek is reg	Kamer Sewe	Daar was jy	Skielik	Oseaan

 
 

English winner	Name: Sarah Frost Poem: Opacity
Runners-up	2nd place	3rd place	4th place	5th place	6th place
Poet	David Muirhead	Dawn Garisch	Phelelani Makhanya	Gail Dendy	Yuwinn Kraukamp
Poem	Aviator	Fully dilated	Galibasi 2001	Memorial garden	In the back of your closet, waiting

 
 

isiNdebele winner	Name: Nosipho Noxolo Nxumalo Poem: Isikhathi sibe ngangonombhenyani
Runners-up	2nd place	3rd place	4th place	5th place	6th place
Poet	Yamukela Mahlangu	Sphiwe Price Skosana	Mxolisi Muzi Mthombeni	Zinhle Sikhosana	Nkosinathi Ntuli
Poem	Itjhwabile  imbewu	Akusese kukoma okungaka	Sele liziphose kunina	Thatha igadango lokuthoma	Enza njengokutjho Kwakhe

 
 

isiXhosa winner	Name: Athi Simamkele Dyantyi Poem: Kufandin'akufi!
Runners-up	2nd place	3rd place	4th place	5th place	6th place
Poet	Lwando Thantsi	Asiphe Ndingaye	Sanelisiwe Mtsewu	Bhelekazi Gloria Ntandane	Anelisa Thengimfene
Poem	Kuvuna obelimile	Zingce!	Lixesha lethu	Okungalibalekiyo  (2014)	Qhubani ngobunono

 
 

isiZulu winner	Name: Siyabonga Nxumalo Poem: Kanginjena
Runners-up	2nd place	3rd place	4th place	5th place	6th place
Poet	Thembinkosi Qwabe	Sizwe Alexis Zungu	Zamokwakhe Mkhize	Euclene Busie Maphumulo	Nonhlanhla Noblemade Mavundla
Poem	Ngekhaba laseMchitheki	Emnqwambeni elibeni	Lilele ihlobo!	Kwangembula ingubo	Nkondlo yami

 
 

Sepedi winner	Name: Moses Seletisha Poem: Lerato la morapedi
Runners-up	2nd place	3rd place	4th place	5th place	6th place
Poet	Mokgale Machitela	Nokuthula Thubane	Matebane Oscar Nkogatsi	Diketso Mogoswane	Lethabo Zanele Nhlapo
Poem	Tšhiwana	Go amogelwa ga Hunadi legodimong	Ke boile fela	Re be re sa kgolofetše	Seo ke tlilego go mo gopola ka sona

 
 

Sesotho winner	Name: Moeketsi Golden Mokotjo Poem: Ha ke a hloleha
Runners-up	2nd place	3rd place	4th place	5th place	6th place
Poet	Sibongile Abigail Ogabo	Manko Bettie Mnguni	Rethabile Molibeli	Tlholohelo Thelejane	Refiloe Ngozo
Poem	E lwanne e hlotse!	Ena tsenene e meutlwa!	Boreledi ba sereledi	Re bana ba kgwale	Lerato

 
 

Setswana winner	Name: Othusitse Moses Lobelo Poem: Ditladiema
Runners-up	2nd place	3rd place	4th place	5th place	6th place
Poet	Andries Oupa Mosala	Ontiretse Lentotwane	Remmogo Magobe	Oratile Duncan	Goitsemodimo Tlhabadikwane
Poem	Pele go ya kgakala	Intshwarele	Ke a go rata	Kgorogo ya ngwetsi	Ke a leboga, Mmê

 
 

Siswati winner	Name: Junior Gcina Nkomo Poem: Phuma kungakabi ngemalangabi
Runners-up	2nd place	3rd place	4th place	5th place	6th place
Poet	Stephen Umlobi	Grace Mdaka	Gugu Maphanga	Nozipho Ngomane	Bongekile Ndinisa
Poem	Bengitfunjiwe	Ingijimi	Bonga	Hola, mholi	Dear Mfundvo!

 
 

Tshivenḓa winner	Name: Humbulani Julia Tharaga Poem: O fhola
Runners-up	2nd place	3rd place	4th place	5th place	6th place
Poet	Rebecca Maredi	Gudani Managa	Jeremiah Neluvhalani	Junior Machaba	Mahlatse Mphilo
Poem	Fulufhelo	Fhaṱuwani	Mavu o nonaho	Pfunzo	Kondelela

 
 

Xitsonga winner	Name: Amukelani Deborah Mashele Poem: A wu tise yini?
Runners-up	2nd place	3rd place	4th place	5th place	6th place
Poet	D Mboweni	Advise Vhukeya	VC Rikhotso	Sithokozile Hlongwane	Coolman Mathebula
Poem	I xidzedze	Yimbelela nyanyana	U kotisa wayeni	Swi lo yini, Rixaka ra Nkwangulatilo?	Mabokoboko