Deadline for submissions: May 2, 2020
Womandla
is delighted to announce the call out for Womandla 2, a vibrant collection of
female writing.
The
highly anticipated annual writing call out went live on Facebook early April,
with Womandla 1 writers and poets, and new writers and poets, excited to have
something meaningful and empowering to do during the COVID-19 lockdown, which
has been extended until end April.
Having
launched successfully at the Womandla Raised Fist Awards last year, where ten
phenomenal women were celebrated, Womandla 1 was a resounding success. It
created a powerful platform for women to express their opinions, share their
stories, showcase their talents, and astound readers with incredible
imaginations. Feedback from readers and supporters has been “bold and
inspiring”.
Womandla’s
2020 edition invites women, and teenage girls, to submit writing and poetry
around journeys from survival to victory. Some of many examples include
gender-based violence, corona virus, lockdown, unemployment, depression,
bullying, or any other challenge to be overcome in life.
The
stellar team of Womandla published editors includes award-winning activist,
journalist, Salaamedia producer-presenter, CFAD manager, mediation attorney,
and author-poet Shabnam Palesa Mohamed; junior marketing manager, entrepreneur,
and poet Aisha PoeTrix Mponda; chief diagnostic radiographer specialising in
computed tomography, and author Lucretia Basson; stage poet, recording artist,
uKhozi Fm guest, author, and data entry officer Pumla Indoni Mkhize; and
award-winning journalist, Lotus fm content creator, blogger, and author Maya
Jagjivan Kalicharan.
Shabnam
Palesa Mohamed comments: “Womandla! means the power of women, its root being
Amandla, meaning power, in isiZulu and isiXhosa. Womandla’s vision is to
strengthen solidarity amongst diverse women and girls, by celebrating our
voices, talents and lives. We have an incredible team.”
Aisha
Mponda Kilumbilo adds: “So much happens every day that isn't shared with the
world. Womandla 1 created the platform for voices to be heard, but the words
never end. There is always more to be shared, so Womandla 2 is how we continue
to amplify women’s voices as we continue the journey.”
Lucretia
Basson comments: “I am delighted to be a Womandla editor this year. The
Womandla 2 theme of survivor to victor resonates with everyday challenges that
women and girls in our society struggle to deal with and overcome. Let us never
be silent or silenced. Let our voices be heard everywhere.”
Pumla
Indoni Mkhize remarks: “My work was published in Womandla 1 last year. Queens
have reigned for centuries, but they are not recognised and respected enough in
society. The unenlightened strive to dim our colourful lights. We have to speak
out. Reading and writing empowers us to break free.”
Maya
Jagjivan Kalicharan explains: “Writing is a cathartic experience. There is
great power and joy that comes from seeing your words in black and white, no
matter how painful your journey has been. The Womandla journey flows naturally
from my blog writing work, and I look forward to this experience."
GUIDELINES AND RULES
Women
and teenage girls can submit writing in five different genres: memoir, opinion,
empowerment writing, creative short fiction, and poetry. Diary-style writing is
also welcome. Suggested themes include passion, purpose, pain, joy, and power. English
and translated isiZulu submissions are welcome. Submissions including humour
are encouraged as we undergo lockdown.
Given
the large number of entries last year, this year only one entry per genre will
be accepted, with 800 words maximum for each submission. A 50-word biography
must be included in the Word format document submission. Spelling and grammar
must be checked as editing will be moderate.
Submissions
must be emailed to WomandlaSA@Gmail.com
Only
writers and poets of accepted submissions will be contacted after the review
process. The editorial team decision is final. Deadline for submissions is May 2,
2020, enough time to write about struggle, solidarity, hope and victory!
Like
the Womandla Facebook page, with its distinctive logo, for updates, including
the launch event.
Hashtags:
#Womandla2020 #VictimsToVictors #WomandlaForever
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