Blog
Finding better words as the 2026 AVBOB Poetry Competition opens its doors
Thu, 31 July 2025
The AVBOB Poetry Competition returns on 1 August 2025, opening its doors to voices across the nation to share their verses in all 11 official written languages of South Africa. This beloved platform continues to celebrate the power of words to heal, inspire and unite.
Once again, South Africans from all walks of life are invited to submit words of love and hope, courage, consolation, and new beginnings on the theme I wish I’d said... 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 coveted AVBOB Poetry Trophy.
AVBOB CEO, Carl van der Riet, is excited about the competition’s future. “Even though the competition is entering its ninth year, we remain amazed by the generosity of each year’s entries. It is humbling to experience how much of themselves entrants are willing to share. 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, we are often at a loss for words. It is at such times that we turn to poetry for images and gestures to steady and nourish us.”
He added, “The goal of the annual AVBOB Poetry Competition has always been to create a single platform on which all South Africans can share their best words and feel themselves represented. Today, this archive of poems stands as a record of an 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, articles featuring successful poets, and editorial guidelines. 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 2026 AVBOB Poetry Competition, simply register on www.avbobpoetry.co.za. Enter up to 10 poems in any of South Africa’s 11 official written languages between 1 August and 30 November 2025. Who knows? You might be one of the lucky winners!
Once again, South Africans from all walks of life are invited to submit words of love and hope, courage, consolation, and new beginnings on the theme I wish I’d said... 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 coveted AVBOB Poetry Trophy.
AVBOB CEO, Carl van der Riet, is excited about the competition’s future. “Even though the competition is entering its ninth year, we remain amazed by the generosity of each year’s entries. It is humbling to experience how much of themselves entrants are willing to share. 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, we are often at a loss for words. It is at such times that we turn to poetry for images and gestures to steady and nourish us.”
He added, “The goal of the annual AVBOB Poetry Competition has always been to create a single platform on which all South Africans can share their best words and feel themselves represented. Today, this archive of poems stands as a record of an 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, articles featuring successful poets, and editorial guidelines. 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 2026 AVBOB Poetry Competition, simply register on www.avbobpoetry.co.za. Enter up to 10 poems in any of South Africa’s 11 official written languages between 1 August and 30 November 2025. Who knows? You might be one of the lucky winners!
