The University of Johannesburg Prize for South African Writing has opened submissions for books written in English and published during the 2025 calendar year. Established in 2006, the prize recognizes excellence in South African writing across two categories: the Main Prize and the Debut Prize. Publishers must specify their chosen category when submitting. The prize is open exclusively to South African authors or foreign authors who resided in South Africa for at least six months while writing their book.

The UJ Prize accepts submissions across all genres—novels, short story collections, poetry, biographies, and any form of creative fiction or nonfiction with literary merit. Barbara Boswell and Shubnum Khan shared the 2025 Main Prize, each receiving R75,000 for The Comrade’s Wife and The Lost Love of Akbar Manzil respectively, while Siphokazi Jonas won the Debut Prize with her poetry collection Weeping Becomes a River, earning R45,000. Previous winners include C.A. Davids, Mandla Langa, Jacob Dlamini, Rešoketšwe Manenzhe, Gabeba Baderoon, and Zakes Mda.

Publishers must submit six copies of each title along with a completed UJ Prize Entry Form signed by both publisher and author. Submissions close March 13, 2026, with the shortlist announcement scheduled for no later than September 31, 2026. The prize does not accept unpublished manuscripts, self-published books, books translated into English by someone other than the author, or works by authors without South African citizenship or residency during the text’s construction and publication. Send submissions via courier to Ms. Dikeledi Seranyane, English Department, B-Ring 713, University of Johannesburg, Kingsway Road, Auckland Park, Johannesburg. For inquiries, contact Dr. Mampoi Mabena at [email protected] or call 011-5592063.

Access the call and form HERE.