Are you a poet? Do want to get your poems published and even get rewarded with money and awards for your efforts in writing?

If so, it is the right time to enter the AVBOB Poetry Competition. The competition is open for all 11 official languages.

On their website, the host writes: “The ancestors may have decided that it’s time for your loved one to go; a sacrifice may have to be made to ensure the peace of the deceased and those who came and went before him. But still there are those who remain behind. In times of bereavement, we seek comfort and find it in the depth of our culture and rituals. But often deep sadness remains and sometimes people who have lost loved ones cannot find the words to express their pain.”

The communications manager, Ms Annie da Silver, stated that all individuals from the Vhavenda-speaking people were invited to create and enter new poems, to contribute to a collection of work on a special website that people can visit to find words of comfort.

Interested budding, ambitious and even established poets are welcome to enter by sending their poems for adjudication. To find out everything about the Poetry Competition and how to enter, visit www.avbobpoetry.co.za.

“If your poem is selected to appear on the website, you will receive R300,” Da Silver said. “Next year the nine best Venda poems will be selected and the very best one will receive a grand cash prize at a prestige event.”

The competition closes on 30 November this year.