Applications Open for the SAfm Playwriting Competition

Applications Open for the SAfm Playwriting Competition. This is an invitation to writers to explore the medium of sound, “the theatre of the mind” by creating a 60 minutes radio play in English for SAfm. This Competition is open to any South African citizens of all ages and races.

Prizes:

• First prize is R50 000
• Second prize R35 000
• Third prize R20 000

Competition Rules

• Plays submitted must be of 60 minutes, original works, and not previously broadcasted.  
• Plays must be specifically written for radio; stage plays or plays requiring adaptation will not be considered.  
• Plays must be written in South African English. 95% South African English. 
• This Competition is open to any South African citizens of all ages and races. 
• Entries should be typed in a font comparable to 11-point Century Gothic, double-spaced and on one side of the paper only. The standard size of a radio script is A4.  Following these guidelines, a 60 minute play would run to about 45 pages. Words- 8000-9000 words. 
• There are no limits to the choice of topics or the style of writing:  Comedy, Tragedy, Fable or Folklore, Social or Domestic Drama, Satire, “Slice of Life”.  If it appeals to the target market (daytime radio). 
• Authors must certify (sworn affidavit) that plays submitted are their original works and must indemnify the SABC against any infringement of copyright, deliberate or otherwise.  
• If a play submitted contains any material (a quotation from a poem, for example) which is subject to copyright restrictions, the author must ensure they have obtained all relevant copyright clearances, if required and furnish the SABC with same. 
• One entry per author. 
• The Competition Judges’ decisions shall be final, and no correspondence will be entered into in this respect.  
• Prizes are not transferrable and are not negotiable.  
• SAfm reserves the right to withhold the awarding of prizes if no entries are considered by the Judges to merit them.  

How to Apply

Writers are requested to fill in the entry form, Please state your real named on the entry form. Your name should Only appear on the entry form and not on the script.

Plays should be emailed to: [email protected].  

For more information or to submit your play email SAfm Drama’s at [email protected]

Click here for the submission form.

Click here for more information.

Closing Date: 03^rd  February 2025, at 5pm

Late submissions will not be considered. The winners of this competition will be announced on SAfm on the 3rd of March 2025.