My Mind Words Paper:
botswana literature

Deadline: 24 February 2012

NOTE: The application process for WIN 2012 will be open from 16 January until 24 February. Please see below for more information on applying to WIN and to download the call for applications and application form.

The World Association of Newspaper and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) is pleased to invite commercial and editorial media women in Botswana, Namibia and Zambia to apply to participate in the third year of the groundbreaking Women In News (WIN) programme.

WIN is a leadership development programme aiming to contribute to the advancement and empowerment of women in African media, simultaneously enhancing and promoting the development of financially viable and editorially strong media enterprises in emerging markets on the continent.

WIN equips women media professionals in middle management positions with the strategies, skills and support networks they need to advance their careers toward upper management levels.

The WIN programme is comprised of four nation-wide events held in participating countries’ national capitals and culminates with a programme-wide WIN Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa at the year’s end. Included in these events are one-on-one coaching sessions with professional and experienced national and international coaches, working with participants to build personal and realistic professional action plans; mentoring with experiences business professionals and peers; and skills development and training modules focusing on topics identified by participants as being instrumental in their professional development.

WHO CAN APPLY?

WIN is open to women working for a minimum of two years in middle management positions for newspapers in Botswana, Namibia and Zambia. Successful applicants will already have a certain degree of leadership responsibility in their current positions, have room for growth and aspire to progress within the newspaper industry. The programme will welcome women from all departments of media houses in each of the three countries (i.e. editorial departments, as well as administration, human resources, accounting, marketing etc.). Fifteen women will be selected to participate in 2012, divided equally among the three participating countries.

Applications from women not employed by a newspaper (e.g. those working freelance) will be considered secondary to applicants meeting the outlined requirements. Applications are considered on an individual basis and employment in line with the above-listed criteria does not guarantee admission to the WIN programme. Applications will not be accepted from those working in radio or television at this time.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested applicants should submit a completed Application form, outlining their motivation for applying to the programme and how they could benefit from WIN to Catharine Fulton, WIN’s Project Manager, at cafulton@womeninnews.org.

The Application form can be downloaded by clicking the appropriate link below or it can be requested via e-mail from Catharine Fulton.

Deadline: Completed Application forms must be received no later than 24 February 2012.

Download application form >>

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For inquiries: cafulton@womeninnews.org

For submissions: cafulton@womeninnews.org

Website: http://www.womeninnews.org

Deadline: 15 February 2012

WABO is calling for submissions from members only for the third edition of our literary journal, Mahube. The theme is WATER.

What we’re looking for:

- poems (maximum of 3) 40 lines maximum
- short stories (maximum of 2) under 1000 words
- creative non-fiction under 1000 words

The deadline for submissions is the 15 February 2012. Email all submissions to botswanawriters@gmail.com.

Submission guidelines:

1. On the first page of your submission include: the title of your piece, your name, postal address, email address, telephone number, and the date on which your membership was paid and membership number.
2. Please write MAHUBE 2012 in the subject line of your email
3. Send as an attachment.
4. Submissions can be in English or Setswana.
5. Writing previously published in other countries is allowed. Please give the publishing history of the piece.
6. Only emailed, typed submissions will be allowed.

All submissions must be accompanied by a letter declaring that the submitted works are the original work of the author who retains the copyright. Simultaneous submissions are allowed.

The decision of the judges is final and no correspondence will be entered into. Contributors whose work is published will receive one free copy of Mahube.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For inquiries: botswanawriters@gmail.com

For submissions: botswanawriters@gmail.com

Website: http://writersassociationofbotswana.blogspot.com

Date: 24 September 2011

Do you have books you're selling?

Let the Writers Association of Botswana sell for you at the Botswana Amateur Arts Festival on Saturday 24th September at Maru-a-Pula in Gaborone. Bring your books between 9 and 10am and collect remainders between 4 and by 5pm. Ask for the WABO stall/table or call 71822516 on the day. Please no more than 30 books per writer.

Note this opportunity is for members only. But, have no fear, if you're not a member you can also become one on that day as membership cards will be available. It is P100 for an annual membership. Membership includes free entrance to our monthly workshops, chance to have your work published in our literary journal, Mahube, as well as many other things. Don't miss out!

Contact Information:

For inquiries: botswanawriters@gmail.com

Website: http://writersassociationofbotswana.blogspot.com

Deadline: 13 August 2011

On Saturday 20th of August, the Writers Association of Botswana (WABO) will be holding the first in their monthly writing workshop series. The topic for this month is “Writing Short Stories” and will be run by Wame Molefhe, a published short story writer and secretary general of WABO.

The workshop will be at Maru-a-Pula School and will run from 2:00-4:30. It is free for WABO members, non-members will be required to pay P20. Membership forms and cards will be available if you would like to become a WABO member. The membership fee is P100 per year.

The workshop will cover elements of short story writing. Participants will work through a series of exercises. Participants who would like to share their stories will have an opportunity to have their work critiqued.

Places are limited so please RSVP at botswanwriters@gmail.com, write 'Short story workshop' in the subject line with a 800 word excerpt of the story you wish to be critiqued at the workshop. Closing date for receipt of applications is 13 August 2011.

Contact Information:

For inquiries: botswanwriters@gmail.com

For submissions: botswanwriters@gmail.com

Website: http://writersassociationofbotswana.blogspot.com/

Deadline: 30 September 2011

PULA: Botswana Journal of African Studies is calling for papers for publication consideration. PULA is a refereed scholarly journal devoted to the study of Africa, particularly Southern Africa. We welcome articles from various disciplines and from scholars anywhere in the world. The articles should be based on cutting edge research with new findings, and should interrogate important issues in Africa, preferably Southern Africa. Articles will be subjected to peer-review before they can be accepted for publication. All articles must be original and must not be considered for publication anywhere else. Contributors must follow the following submission guidelines.

1. Articles, in Word format, using Times New Roman 12, must not exceed a maximum of 6000 words and must use British English. If they contain special characters they must be submitted in PDF and details of the author(s) provided on a separate accompanying document.
2. Articles must contain abstracts of not more than 150 words.
3. Notes must be presented at the end of the article under the subheading ‘Notes’.
4. Only the references cited in the article must appear at the end under the subheading ‘References’. They must follow the APA for both in-text and list references.
5. The author(s) will be informed of the acceptance or rejection of their articles after the reviews have been received and a judgement/verdict made on them.
6. Submit articles to Dr. K.C. Monaka at both of the following e-mail addresses monaka@mopipi.ub.bw and kemmonye@gmail.com
7. The deadline for submission is Friday 30th September, 2011.

Please direct questions and enquiries to the Editor (Prof. Musa W. Dube) dubemw@mopipi.ub.bw and to the Interim Editor (Dr. Kems C. Monaka) monaka@mopipi.ub.bw

Contact Information:

For inquiries: monaka@mopipi.ub.bw and kemmonye@gmail.com

For submissions: monaka@mopipi.ub.bw and kemmonye@gmail.com

Website: http://www.thuto.org/pula/html/

Date (awarding): 24 July 2011 (2:30pm)

The BESSIE HEAD HERITAGE TRUST, together with Pentagon Publishers, is pleased to announce the winners of the 2011 BESSIE HEAD LITERATURE AWARDS.

In the category of NOVEL, the winner is Ms. Tlotlo Pearl Tsamaase for her manuscript Unlettered Skies of the Sublime. The first runner-up is Mr. Service Motsamai Monyamane for Mma-Shirley’s Children, and the second runner-up is Mr Moreetsi Pius Gabang for Cryout. The winner will receive a cash prize of P2, 500.00, the first runner-up will receive P1 200.00, and the third runner up will receive P800.

In the SHORT STORY category, the winner is Mr Boikhutso Robert for a story entitled “The Zambezi Crocodiles”. The first runner-up is Ms. Rebaone Kenanao Motsumi for her story “Incestous Scandal ... saving Grace”; the second runner-up is Ms Jocasta Tshomarelo Bobeng for “The War of Animals and Plants”. The prize for the short story winner is P1, 500.00; for the second runner-up it is P900.00; and for the third runner-up it is P600.00.

The POETRY winner is Mr. John Hutcheson for a set of poems (“The Massacre of Innocents”, “The Man”, and “Curse”). The first runner-up is Ms Lisa Reed for a set of poems (“Buffalo Sunrise”, “Campfire”, and “The Joy of Africa”). The second runner-up is Ms. Bernice Tiny Letlhare also for a set of poems (“Wisdom”, “Allegory of a Strong Being”, “What is Life” and “People in the Street”). The poetry prize for the winner is P1, 200.00; for the first runner-up it is P800. 00 and for the second runner up it is P500.00.

On 24 July 2011, Ms Penelope Moanakwena, President of the Botswana Reading Association, will award the above prizes in the National Museum in Gaborone, in a ceremony beginning at 2:30 p.m. at the National Museum in Gaborone. The event will include readings by the winners and runners-up, a launch of the works of the 2010 winners in book form, and an open mike session. Pentagon Publishers will promote the titles of their BESSIE HEAD SERIES of writing in English from Botswana.

Contact Information:

For inquiries: bessiehead@gmail.com

Website: http://www.bessiehead.org/

Deadline: 30 June 2011

Writers are reminded that Sanlam and Tafelberg are once again awaiting entries for the Sanlam Prize for Youth Literature. This time round the organisers are looking for a story in which hope plays a role. Manuscripts in any of the official languages will be accepted.

Categories are:

* English,
* Afrikaans,
* Nguni-languages,
* Sotho-languages,
* Tshivenda,
* Xitsonga and
* SiSwati.

In each category there are two prizes: Gold (R12 000 in cash and publication) and Silver
(R6 000 in cash and publication). The deadline for entries is 30 June 2011. Unfortunately e-mail submissions are not allowed. The organisers request entrants to keep a copy of their entry. The names of the finalists will be announced before the end of 2011, and the names of the winners and the launch of the winning books will be in 2012.

Rules:

1. The competition is presented in six categories: Afrikaans, English, Nguni languages, Sotho
languages, Tshivenda and Xitsonga.

2. There are two prizes in each category: Gold prize: R12 000, Silver prize: R 6 000

3. Requirements: A story in which hope plays a role. It should be suitable for young readers
(between 12 and 18 years). Length: 25 000 to 45 000 words.

4. Tafelberg undertakes to publish the winning entries and reserves the first option to publish
any of the other entries.

5. While under consideration entries may not be submitted for publication elsewhere until the
publishers have confirmed in writing that the manuscript has been turned down for publication.

6. The judges reserve the right to withhold one or more of the prizes should the quality of the entries not be up to standard.

7. The competition is open only to citizens of South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho and
Swaziland.

8. Entries should be typed or printed out on A4 paper, with double spacing and broad
margins, on one side of the paper only, and clearly numbered. Do not bind. The organisers cannot accept e-mail entries.

9. As entries are judged anonymously, writers are requested to ensure that their names
appear only on the title page of the entry and nowhere else.

10. Each entry must be accompanied by a signed entry form or a copy thereof.

11. Entries may not be submitted under a pseudonym.

12. Entrants are requested to keep copies of their entries. The organisers cannot accept final
responsibility should an entry go astray.

13. The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

14. Closing date: 30 June 2011.

Download entry form >>

Contact Information:

For inquiries: Contact Danita van Romburgh at NB Publishers at (021) 406 3412 or dvanromb@nb.co.za.

For submissions: Danita van Romburgh, PO Box, 879, Cape Town, South Africa 8000

Website: http://www.nb.co.za/

Deadline: 30 June 2011

The Botswana Institute of Bankers, in conjunction with its Corporate Members and the Public Education Programme on Banking of the Bank of Botswana, invites entries from pupils in Junior Community and Senior Secondary Schools in Botswana, as well as from pupils in upper Primary School (Standard 5-7).

The theme of the 2011 Schools Essay Competition is:

“Discuss ways in which bank fraud can be controlled and prevented in Botswana”

Seven awards, sponsored by the Bank of Botswana, Barclays Bank of Botswana, Standard Chartered Band and First National Bank of Botswana will be made as follows:

UPPER PRIMARY SCHOOLS (STANDARD 5-7)

i. The best essay from a pupil in upper primary in a Non-Urban Primary School.
ii. The best essay from a pupil in upper primary in an Urban Primary School.

SECONDARY SCHOOLS

i. The best essay from a pupil in a Non-Urban Junior Secondary School.
ii. The best essay from a pupil in a Non-Urban Senior Secondary School.
iii. The best essay from a pupil in an Urban Junior Secondary School.
iv. The best essay from a pupil in an Urban Senior Secondary School.
v. The best overall essay.

All students from all Secondary Schools and pupils in upper Primary School (Standards 5-7) in Botswana are encouraged to enter. All entries must be submitted through the relevant school administration. Entries will not be received directly from the students themselves.

Essays should be forwarded by the School administration to:

The Director
Botswana Institute of Bankers
Private Bag 00404
Gaborone

On or before 30 June 2011

Please note that the Botswana Institute of Bankers is located at Plot No. 184, Tlale House, Ground Floor, Gaborone, just off the Main Mall, close to the South African High Commission and opposite BEDIA. The entrance is on the Northern side of the Building.

Contact Information:

For inquiries: biob@info.bw

For submissions: The Director, Botswana Institute of Bankers, Private Bag 00404, Gaborone

Website: http://www.biob.co.bw/