The circle was founded in September 1960 by journalist, Fay Goldie and 13 enthusiastic amateur and professional writers.
Its objective was then, and still is, to promote the art of writing and the interests of its members.
The initial group met at London House in Smith Street (now Anton Lembede Street) and they called themselves the Durban Writers’ Circle.
The name of the circle was changed in 1985 to the South African Writers’ Circle, to recognise its national membership and they now meet at the Westville Library.
Membership of the circle is open to both published and aspirant writers.
The normal monthly programme, currently suspended due to lockdown, includes a guest speaker and a bring-and-share lunch which gives members and guests the opportunity to mingle and exchange ideas.
There is also a short, practical workshop on the ‘nuts and bolts’ of writing.
Guest speakers during 2019 included Gcina Mhlope, author, anti-apartheid activist and storyteller and local authors, Rajie Tudge and Cristy Zinn.
The Circle occasionally hosts seminars and one-day writing workshops.
There is a WhatsApp chat group and the circle is found on various social media platforms.
Writing competition
A unique feature is the monthly writing competition and recently, a Flash Cash competition was introduced that runs five times a year and is open to non-members.
The monthly competitions for members cover poetry, short story writing, science fiction and play writing, and all entries are professionally adjudicated.
As well as each entrant receiving a written adjudicator’s report, there are prizes to be won and the winners are honoured at an annual award presentation.
Until COVID-19 intervened, a mini-literary festival was being planned to celebrate the Circle’s 60th anniversary.
Since it is unlikely that this will be possible this year, instead the circle is running an Anniversary Writing Competition for members and non-members.
Details of the competition
- Write an original fiction story of no more than 3 000 words of text excluding the title, pseudonym etc; illustrating changes in societal and/or literary norms between the 1960s and the present. Politics are specifically excluded. The circles asks that your story is not concurrently submitted elsewhere. The winners will be announced and all entrants advised within four weeks of the closing date.
- The closing date for entries is 30 September 2020.
- Prizes are R2 000 for the winner; R1 000 for second place and R500 for third place.
- The entry fee is R50 for members and R100 for non-members. The fee for non-members will include SAWC membership for the balance of 2020.
- See the SAWC website www.sawriters.org.za for full details on how to enter the competition.
