Where can I publish my poetry in South Africa?

Below, I have tried to compile a complete and up-to-date list of local ways for South African writers to get their english-language poetry published. In compiling this list, I have built on Arthur Attwell's helpful page. Please contact me if you know of something I've missed.

First, the bad news. The following magazines are no longer releasing new issues:

Aerodrome, Carapace, Itch, Kotaz (as far as I can tell) and Prufrock.  

As far as I know, poetry magazines have always had a high turnover, due mainly to lack of funding.  It's sad to see these go, and we can only hope that they will soon be replaced by other similar publications. 

The good news: South African poetry magazines and other platforms still accepting submissions:

Botsotso - Accepts submissions year-round, looking for "art that is of and about the varied cultures and life experiences of people in South Africa – as expressed in all our many languages." Publishes "irregularly," but at least once per year. Print and electronic. Also publishes fiction and essays. Also releases books.

Chimurenga - A quarterly "pan African [but Cape Town-based] platform of writing, art and politics." Print and online, but I couldn't find submission guidelines anywhere on their site - presumably you have to buy an issue to access these.

McGregor Poetry Festival Anthology - Considers poems that have been presented during the annual McGregor Poetry Festival, including open mic events.

New Coin Poetry - A print journal run out of Rhodes University. Published in June and December. "Places a particular emphasis on evolving forms and experimental use of the English language in poetry in the South African context."

New Contrast - The oldest South African literary journal. Four issues per year. Print only. Looking for "the best of poetry and prose, art, reviews and interviews from both local and international authors." New Contrast has also recently collaborated with Bruce Jack of Drift Estate Wines to launch a National Poetry Prize competition.

Poetry Potion - "a free access platform for all poetry lovers to discover new poetry and for poets to get published." Print and online. Daily writing prompts.

Stanzas - originally launched by African Sun Press in 2015 and continuing since 2021 under new management. Print only, appears three times per year. 

The Avbob Poetry Competition - One of the few ways to get paid for your work - selected poems are archived on the competition website, and stand a chance to win a prize and/or be included in a print anthology.

Online archives of South African Poetry:

Badilisha Poetry X-Change - "an online audio archive and Pan-African poetry show." Accepts audio submissions with text.

Poetry International Archives, South Africa - a Netherlands-based international archive of english-language poetry. Does not accept unsolicited submissions.

South African publishers that release poetry collections:

African Sun Press - "The leading publisher of poetry anthologies in South Africa." Invitation only.

Dryad Books - Aims to publish "poetry that surprises, not only in form and technique, but also in its ability to enable us to reflect on our experiences in the world in a new way." Submit only during open submissions periods, announced on website.

Impepho Press - "A Pan Africanist, intersectional-feminist publishing house". Submit only during open submissions periods, announced on website.

Modjaji Books - "An independent feminist press that publishes southern African women writers." Submit only during open submissions periods, announced on website.

Uhlanga Press - "a poetry press based in Cape Town, South Africa, committed to publishing new, experimental and classic works of southern African poetry." Submit only during open submissions periods, announced on website.

Other resources:

PEN South Africa regularly announces writing-related news including scholarships and calls for submissions.

The Doek list, curated by the Namibian magazine, Doek! "Alternative submission opportunities for African writers and those of African descent."