As part of the centenary celebration of Afrikaans as an official language, Oude Leeskamer, in collaboration with the Words open Worlds (WOW) Woordfees project, launched a poetry competition during the Maak los jou tong talks. 

Learners from local high schools were welcomed into our space for morning and afternoon sessions where they could draw inspiration from poets such as Bibi Slippers, Jolyn Phillips, Veronique Jephtas and Ashwin Arendse. In November, they will be treated to talks by the latest Jan Rabie-Rapport Prize winner, Nathan Trantraal, and Ryan Pedro.

We would like to invite every high school learner to take part in this poetry competition.

Sê jou sê. Dig in jou ma se tong. Sêrrit met woorde. Deel jou komvandaan. Toor met klanke. Dink hardop en skryf los jou taal!

Email your poem, written in your Afrikaans, to admin@oudeleeskamer.org. 

Entries close on the 31st of December 2025.

For more information about the WOW project, click here.