Open call: National Playwright Competition in SA

The call is open to unpublished playwrights who are over the age of 18 and living anywhere in South Africa. It accepts scripts, partial scripts or script synopses with a sample of writing in any of South Africa’s official languages. The works are then carefully evaluated by an adjudication panel chaired by Monageng ‘Vice’ Motshabi and five finalists are selected.

Each of the finalists will receive R5 000 in prize money and will be assigned an experienced writing mentor to assist them in completing their script. The completed play scripts are then evaluated and an overall winner is selected.

The winning playwright will go on to have their play produced and premiered at the National Arts Festival in Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown) in 2025. The winner will also receive an additional R20 000 in prize money.

Terms and conditions

• The script may be in any text-driven genre. In the case of a cabaret, musical or poetry programme, the music, lyrics and poems must be original.
• The script must promote diversity, inclusivity, social cohesion and inspire a movement to craft a better future through the galvanising power of the arts.
• The competition is open to debutante scriptwriters who are over the age of 18 years and residents of South Africa, and have completed high school, except for any employee, director, member, partner, agent or consultant or any person directly or indirectly who controls or is controlled by the promoters, and their immediate family members (‘disqualified persons’).
• By entering the competition, all participants and winners agree to be bound by these rules which will be interpreted by the Promoters, whose decision regarding any dispute will be final and binding. The Promoters reserve the right to amend, modify, change, postpone, suspend or cancel this competition and any prizes, or any aspect thereof, without notice at any time, for any reason which the Promoters reasonably deem necessary.

Read more about the terms and conditions and how to apply here.

The deadline for entries is 2 August.

“This is a particularly rewarding project for our team to work on as we see the creative process through from inception to presentation on stage,” National Arts Festival artistic director Rucera Seethal said. “The writing and reworking of the script can be an arduous and emotional experience for playwrights, which is why the mentorship this competition provides is so essential to support new voices in the sector. We are in awe of the bravery and grit of our contestants as they travel the path to a finished script.” 

Email heinekenplaywright@nationalartsfestival.co.za for questions about this call.