KWAF - Women Authors Forum

05/08/2026

CALLING ALL ASPIRING WRITERS IN KWAZULU-NATAL! ✍🏾📚

Do you have a story waiting to be told?
The KZN Women Authors Forum (KWAF) invites writers aged 18 and older to enter the 2026 KWAF Short Story Competition under the theme:
🌍 Teens & Culture
Explore how young people honour their cultural roots while embracing change. Your story can celebrate traditions, challenge outdated beliefs, or imagine new ways culture continues to thrive.

Competition Details:
📅 Entries Open: 25 July 2026
⏰ Closing Date: 31 August 2026
📝 Maximum: 1,500 words
📄 Submit your story (LINK IN BIO)

Who can enter?
Writers aged 18+ residing in the following KwaZulu-Natal Districts
1. eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality (ETH)
2. Amajuba District Municipality (DC25)
3. Harry Gwala District Municipality (DC43)
4. iLembe District Municipality (DC29)
5. King Cetshwayo District Municipality (DC28)
6. Ugu District Municipality (DC21)
7. uMgungundlovu District Municipality (DC22)
8. uMkhanyakude District Municipality (DC27
9. uMzinyathi District Municipality (DC24
10. uThukela District Municipality (DC23)
11. Zululand District Municipality (DC26)

🏆 Selected stories will be published in the 2026 KWAF Short Story Anthology, with contributors receiving publication recognition and certificates.

Your story could inspire, preserve culture, and become part of a lasting literary legacy.
Submit your entry today!

03/08/2026

CALLING ALL ASPIRING WRITERS IN KWAZULU-NATAL! ✍🏾📚

Do you have a story waiting to be told?
The KZN Women Authors Forum (KWAF) invites writers aged 18 and older to enter the 2026 KWAF Short Story Competition under the theme:
🌍 Teens & Culture
Explore how young people honour their cultural roots while embracing change. Your story can celebrate traditions, challenge outdated beliefs, or imagine new ways culture continues to thrive.

Competition Details:
📅 Entries Open: 25 July 2026
⏰ Closing Date: 31 August 2026
📝 Maximum: 1,500 words
📄 Submit your story (https://kwaf.improductions.africa/competition-short-story-2026.html)

Who can enter?
Writers aged 18+ residing in the following KwaZulu-Natal districts:
📍 eThekwini Metro
📍 King Cetshwayo
📍 Zululand
📍 uMgungundlovu
📍 uMzinyathi
📍 uThukela
📍 Amajuba
📍 Ugu
📍 Ray Nkonyeni
📍 Mkhanyakude
📍 iLembe
📍 Sisonke
🏆 Selected stories will be published in the 2026 KWAF Short Story Anthology, with contributors receiving publication recognition and certificates.
Your story could inspire, preserve culture, and become part of a lasting literary legacy.
Submit your entry today!

The KZN Women Authors Forum (KWAF) is committed to protecting your personal information in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act, 4 of 2013 (POPIA).

19/05/2026

Articulate Africa Day 2
🌍 RETROSPECTIVE:

Articulate Africa Day 2 Delivered Powerful Dialogues and Unforgettable Performances

Looking back at the incredible journey of the Articulate Africa Book and Art Festival, Day 2 (19 May 2026) at the Main Stage (Hall 2 West) proved to be an absolute masterclass in culture, identity, and progressive dialogue. Guided smoothly by Programme Director Zanele Njapha, the day kicked off at morning registration and kept the audience captivated right through to the 18:00 closing remarks.

Here is how the day unfolded:
🍳 Culinary & Culture Early Sessions:
The morning burst into life with culinary adventures featuring celebrity chefs Zola Nene (Simply More Zola) and Sinoyolo Sifo (The Cooking Husband), expertly facilitated by Maeshni Naicker.

This was followed by a stirring musical performance by Senzo Sabadala, setting a proud, resonant tone for a heavy-hitting panel on Cultural Identity and Pride in a Post-Apartheid South Africa featuring Tessa Dooms, Dr. Edmund Qhawelenkosi Mhlongo, Selvan Naidoo, Pieter Kriel, and Jerry Pooe.

The afternoon delved into critical societal issues. The 'Raising Men' panel sparked vital family and community truths, followed by an elegant, uplifting performance by the eThekwini Gospel Crescendos. Later, the crowd packed out the hall for an Art Talk on Black male identity, spellbinding poetry and performance art by Musa Hlatswayo,

and a sharp, timely debate on Citizen Journalism: Raw. Real. Responsible? featuring Siphumelele Zondi and Greg Arde.

🕊️ The Defining Moment: "The Freedom of Birds"
One of the most profoundly moving and celebrated moments of the day was the LGBTQI+ panel discussion, "The Freedom of Birds." Panelists Sandile Ntuli, Nonhlanhla Mkhize, and Ndlovukazi Mapule, under the brilliant facilitation of Anathi Gobeni, delivered an unforgettable, raw exploration of liberation, heritage,
and the natural right to live authentically.

The session beautifully framed what it means to break out of societal constraints and claim visibility in our communities today.

📚
The day concluded with a packed-out Book Talk on The Polygamist by Sue Nyati, facilitated by Ayanda Borotho, before wrapping up at 18:00 with the closing remarks and an overwhelming vote of thanks.

Articulate Africa 2026 continues to live in our hearts as a beacon of progressive storytelling and community healing!

National Women Authors Forum Esigodlweni sezindlovukazi News Updates
INdlovukazi Mapule
Department of Sport, Arts and Culture KZN Tourism & Film - Visit KZN CCIFSA KZN

18/05/2026

📖✨ ARTICULATE AFRICA ART & BOOK FAIR 2026: DAY 1 WRAP-UP!

What an incredible opening day at the Durban Exhibition Centre (Coast of Dreams stage)! The energy was unmatched—from the vibrant entertainment outside to deep, soul-stirring conversations inside.

Today was a beautiful tapestry of truth. We opened our hearts to powerful panels like Finding Your Ability Through Your Disability, looked into our cultural roots with Izimpande Zethu,
Ulimi Lwethu (featuring Dr. Gugu Mazibuko and Dr. Nakanjani Sibiya), and tackled justice with Women Have Figured It Out on land and property rights.

Topped off with the legendary Dr. Gcina Mhlophe and stunning music performances, Day 1 reminded us why our stories matter.

18/05/2026

Articulate Africa - -Exhibition Centre
Mama Gatsheni uthi asishintshe lento yokuthi Tongaat u wrong

it is lendawo - UTHONGATHI -

30/04/2026

23/04/2026

Global (UNESCO) Thursday, 23 April 2026

Books aren't just paper and ink; they are tools for accountability, awareness, and community building. Let's use our stories to inspire the next generation of activists and leaders. Happy World Book Day to all the storytellers out there!