SALA CELEBRATES 15 YEARS OF ADVANCING S.A’S LITERARY HERITAGE TODAY
Press release
Issued by the wRite associates
For immediate release
18 February 2020
SALA CELEBRATES 15TH ANNIVERSARY, ANNOUNCES CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS OF LITERARY WORK
Celebrating 15 years of advancing South Africa’s literary heritage, the South African Literary Awards (SALA) is inviting South African authors to submit their work (published in 2018 and 2019) in eleven (11) categories in all official South Africa’s languages.
The 2020 categories are:
1. Children’s Literature Award
2. Youth Literature Award
3. First-time Published Author Award
4. K Sello Duiker Memorial Literary Award
5. Poetry Award
6. Nadine Gordimer Short story Award
7. Creative Non-fiction Literary Award
8. Literary Translators Award
9. Literary Journalism Award
10. Novel Award
11. Posthumous Literary Award
Selections are made from published authors whose primary input is in imaginative writing – fiction as well as creative non-fiction. The work must demonstrate good linguistic presentation, the nation’s identity, societal values, universal truths, and cultural aesthetics. It must also contribute to social cohesion, nation building and transcendence of time. Since its inception in 2005 SALA has honoured two hundred and four (222) recipients in fourteen 14 categories.
Founded by the wRite associates, in partnership with the then national Department of Arts and Culture (DAC) and now the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture (DSAC) in 2005, the main aim of the South African Literary Awards is to pay tribute to South African writers who have distinguished themselves as groundbreaking producers and creators of literature, while it celebrates literary excellence in the depiction and sharing of South Africa’s histories, value systems and philosophies and art as inscribed and preserved in all the languages of South Africa, particularly the official languages.
The Awards strive to become the most prestigious and respected accolades in the South African literary space.
Submissions information
Nomination Forms:
Download Submissions and Nomination Forms on www.sala.org.za or www.writeassociates.co.za
Submissions must be sent to:
Physical address:
The South African Literary Awards
74 Mimosa Road, Randpark Ridge, 2125
Postal address:
PO Box 1465
Randpark Ridge
2156
For enquiries:
011-791 9209 and/or 060 509 5857
Important dates:
Submissions opening date : 24th February 2020
Submissions closing date : 24th April 2020
Announcement of nominees : 30th September 2020
Announcement of winners : 7th November 2020
Press release
Issued by the wRite associates
For immediate release
18 February 2020
The Miriam Tllai Reading and Book Club joins the world in celebrating International Mother
Language Day, 22nd February 2020, 13H00 to 15H00 at the wRite associates, 74 Mimosa
Road, Randpark Ridge,
Featuring the SALA 2019 Children’s Literature Award winner, Ms Lebogang Masango, the
Club will focus the discussion around her book ‘ Mpumi’s Magic Beads” which has also been
translated into South Africa’s eleven (11) official languages.
“it is our deliberate effort to continue to showcase the good work of South Africa’s writers,
especially those that have been awarded the South African Literary Awards. It is important
that honouring our writers does not just end with an accolade, but we continue to engage them
and their work at various levels. This year, SALA, through the Miriam Tlali Reading and Book
Club and other legacy platforms, will rollout a robust campaign profiling all the SALA winners
in the 15 years of its existence. This will serve to mark its 15th Anniversary”, remarked Mr Raks
Seakhoa, the Managing Director of the wRite associates, the custodian of the South African
Literary Awards.
International Mother Language Day (IMLD) is a worldwide annual observance declared so by
UNESCO in 1999. It has been observed throughout the world since 21 February 2000. its
significance being to promote the preservation and protection of all languages.
Lebogang Masango, an Anthropology PhD student, Award-winning author (2019 SALA
Children’s Award for her book – Mpumi’s Magic Beads), UNICEF SA Advocate, Poet and
KayaFM narrator, will give us the insight of her book. The session will also address issues
around the Mother Language status especially in South Africa.
Named after and in honour of the veteran author and activist, Ms Miriam Masoli Tlali, who was
honoured with the SALA Lifetime Achievement Literary Award in 2005, the Miriam Tlali
Reading and Book Club was established in June 2009, by the wRite associates in order to
profile, promote and explore the literary jewels that South Africa is in possession of.
For confirmation of attendance and more information, please write to:
info@writreassocioates.co.za or visit www.writeassociates.co.za
