New writing
Fiction and prose by established and emerging authors. Send your poetry or fiction to New Writing at skryfwerk@litnet.co.za to be considered for publication on LitNet.
Please note that work previously published in print or on any online media platform will not be considered for selection.
Wishes beyond glory
2023-08-24"I wish you the open heart that brings the truth and love to all mankind,
beyond any political blocks and false leagues.
Only the free flow of borderless wisdom!"
De-ossifying love
2023-07-27"before our love ossifies
withering unrequited unfulfilled
I will steal your heart truly
once more
committing like never before"
Baberton Daisy
2023-02-09"Let my words caress you,
my gentle hands are thornless,
here to charm you, not to harm you"
A story written by AI: "The fox astronaut"
2022-12-13"Kora was a curious little fox who had always dreamed of exploring the vastness of space. She spent her days reading books about the stars and planets, and imagining what it would be like to visit them."
AI writes a poem about sitting in the morning traffic
2022-12-13"So here’s to sitting in traffic on this morning drive,
May it be a reminder to slow down and enjoy the ride."
AI writes a haiku about broken glass
2022-12-13"Sparkling shards of broken glass
Beauty in the shards"
Press release: Waiting and exhilaration – Kelwyn Sole on birding and poems
2022-10-10This month, as the world celebrates World Migratory Bird Day, the AVBOB Poetry Project celebrates a brilliant, challenging new collection by Kelwyn Sole, an award-winning poet and keen bird watcher, with a particular love of pelagic birding.
Press release: 2022 AVBOB Poetry Gala
2022-09-29Eleven talented poets – one for each official language of South Africa – were announced as the overall winners of the 2022 AVBOB Poetry Competition at a gala prize-giving at the Pretoria Country Club on Wednesday 21 September 2022. Here are the winners.
Mkhuseli
2022-09-20Stemme | Voices | Amazwi is LitNet’s series of 15 short, powerful monologues, presented in collaboration with Suidoosterfees, NATi and ATKV. In Siphokazi Jonas’ Mkhuseli, a fallen star whose memory was wiped when it fell to earth, stands guard at a shoreline to save the spirits of the drowned. Peggy Mongoato performs the monologue, directed by Qondiswa James. Watch the performance in isiXhosa with English subtitles here.
Ha wa lebona
2022-09-13Stemme | Voices | Amazwi is LitNet’s series of 15 short, powerful monologues, presented in collaboration with Suidoosterfees, NATi and ATKV. In Jane Mpholo’s Ha wa lebona, Lerato gives her former best friend, Palesa, a dressing down after malicious gossiping did the rounds. Tankiso Mamabolo performs the monologue, directed by Mahlatsi Mokgonyana. Watch the performance in Sesotho with English subtitles here.
Not lost
2022-09-06Stemme | Voices | Amazwi is LitNet’s series of 15 short, powerful monologues, presented in collaboration with Suidoosterfees, NATi and ATKV. In Jemma Kahn’s Not lost, a girl explains how she got fired while working on the set for a Barbie advert. Devonecia Swartz performs the monologue, directed by Jemma. Watch the performance here. The monologue text is also available.
Papa dearest
2022-08-30Stemme | Voices | Amazwi is LitNet’s series of 15 short, powerful monologues, presented in collaboration with Suidoosterfees, NATi and ATKV. In Sifiso Mzobe’s Papa dearest, a man remembers his late father who kept smiling while fading away into the arms of death. Sonwabo Mpandle performs the monologue, directed by Gaerin Hauptfleisch. Watch the performance here. The monologue text is also available.
Ingoma kaTutu
2022-08-23Stemme | Voices | Amazwi is LitNet’s series of 15 short, powerful monologues, presented in collaboration with Suidoosterfees, NATi and ATKV. In Fred Khumalo’s Ingoma kaTutu a praise singer pays homage to the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu and chastises the South African government for corruption and ineffective leadership. Zamah Nkonyeni performs the monologue, directed by Mdu Kweyama. Watch the performance in isiZulu with English subtitles here.
The fate of your soulmate
2022-08-16Stemme | Voices | Amazwi is LitNet’s series of 15 short, powerful monologues, presented in collaboration with Suidoosterfees, NATi and ATKV. Watch Gary Naidoo perform The fate of your soulmate, written by Paige Nick and directed by Rafiek Mammon. The monologue text is also available here.
Matlakala
2022-08-09Stemme | Voices | Amazwi is LitNet’s series of 15 short, powerful monologues, presented in collaboration with Suidoosterfees, NATi and ATKV. Watch Tshegofatso Mabutla perform Matlakala, written by Jerry Mofokeng wa Makhetha and directed by Mahlatsi Mokgonyana.
Country duty
2022-08-02Stemme | Voices | Amazwi is LitNet’s series of 15 short, powerful monologues, presented in collaboration with Suidoosterfees, NATi and ATKV. Watch Motlatji Mjamba perform Country duty, written by Mike van Graan and directed by Chuma Sopotela.
Pawn stars
2022-07-20"Sometimes first to fall
sometimes hang on through it all
Sometimes, somehow
they even make the final call"
Family life
2022-07-06"This is the end of the family
who once lived in the house.
And the end is otherwise quiet"
Siwagawula siwarhuqa
2022-07-05In Xolisa Ngubelanga’s Siwagawula siwarhuqa, a woman recounts how, as a school girl, she fell in love with a handsome gardener, Sakhumzi, and how the experience left her hands covered with thorns. Zikhona Jacobs performs the monologue, directed by Mfundo Zono. English subtitles. Stemme | Voices | Amazwi is LitNet’s series of 15 short, powerful monologues presented in collaboration with Suidoosterfees, NATi and ATKV.
After tears
2022-06-28Stemme | Voices | Amazwi is LitNet’s series of 15 short, powerful monologues presented in collaboration with Suidoosterfees, NATi and ATKV. Watch Buhle Ngaba’s performance of After tears, written by Buhle and directed by Amelda Brand.