SABC Playwriting Competition 2024

Table of Contents

This is an invitation to writers to explore the medium of sound, “the theatre of the mind” by creating a 60 (sixty) minutes radio play in English for SAfm. Entries open from the 6^th of November 2023 until the 22^nd January 2024.

The first prize is R50,000,00 (Fifty Thousand Rand) the second prize R35,000,00 (Thirty Five Thousand rand) and the third prize R20,000,00 (Twenty Thousand Rand).

COMPETITION RULES

Plays submitted must be of 60 (sixty) minutes, original works, and not previously broadcasted.
Plays must be specifically written for radio; stage plays or plays requiring adaptation will not be considered.
Plays must be written in South African English. 95% (ninety five percent) South African English.
This Competition is open to any South African citizens of all ages and races.
Entries should be typed in a font comparable to 11-point Century Gothic, double-spaced and on one side of the paper only. The standard size of a radio script is A4. Following these guidelines, a 60 (sixty) minute play would run to about 45 (forty five) pages. Words- 7000 (seven thousand)-8000 (eight thousand) words.
There are no limits to the choice of topics or the style of writing: Comedy, Tragedy, Fable or Folklore, Social or Domestic Drama, Satire, “Slice of Life”. If it appeals to the target market (daytime radio).
Submissions should reach SAfm by 5pm (17:00) on 22th January 2024, late submissions will not be considered.
Authors must certify that plays submitted are their original works and must indemnify the SABC against any infringement of copyright, deliberate or otherwise
If a play submitted contains any material (a quotation from a poem, for example) which is subject to copyright restrictions, the author must ensure they have obtained all relevant copyright clearances, if required and furnish the SABC with same.
One entry per author.
The Competition Judges’ decisions shall be final, and no correspondence will be entered into in this respect.
Prizes are not transferrable and are not negotiable.
SAfm reserves the right to withhold the awarding of prizes if no entries are considered by the Judges to merit them.

Also Apply: South Africa’s Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture Internship Programme 2024/2026 (24-Months)

Exclusion from the competition

Employees of the SABC, agencies, prize sponsors or any person directly or indirectly involved in the organisation or running of the Competition, or their immediate family members.
Previous winners of the competition.
Individual whose work have been produced by SAfm.
Translation of already published works
Adaptation.

General Terms:

SAfm reserves the right to modify, suspend, or terminate the competition at any time without prior notice.
SAfm decision regarding all aspects of the competition, including the selection of winners, is final and binding.
By participating in the competition, entrants agree to be bound by these rules and regulations.
Entrants may not attempt to do anything to change the outcome of the competition in any way.
If an entrant or a winner fails to comply with any part of these rules, the entrant or winner will be disqualified and will forfeit any prize(s).
SAfm may amend, modify, or change these Terms and Conditions in our sole and absolute discretion without notice. By participating or continuing to participate in the competition, entrants and winners agree and understand that they will be bound by the amended terms and conditions.
SAfm may refuse to award any prize to any winner if there is suspicion of any irregularities or fraudulent activities.
SAfm reserves the right to carry out reasonable due diligence to confirm eligibility and help ensure that the use of any winner in advertising or publicity for the competition will not bring SAfm or sponsor brands into public disrepute, contempt, scandal, or ridicule or reflect unfavourably on the competition as determined by SAfm in our sole discretion.
At the SAfm request, winners will have the option of participating in all promotional activity (such as publicity and photography) surrounding the winning of the prize, free of charge. Prize winners consent to SAfm using their name, likeness, image and/or voice in the event that you are a winner (including photograph, film and/or recording of the same) in promotional material or in any media for an unlimited period without remuneration for the purpose of promoting this competition (including any outcome) and promoting any products manufactured, distributed and/or supplied by SAfm.
If for any reason any prize winner is not eligible to win the prize, that person will lose his or her right to the prize and will forfeit the prize.
SAfm reserves the right to award the prize to the next deserving participant.
SAfm assume no responsibility whatsoever for any entry that has been left out from participation for any reason.
SAfm reserve the right to withhold any prize until it is entirely satisfied that the claimant of the prize is the bona fide winner.
Should the winner be found not to have complied with these competition rules, he/she will automatically be disqualified, and any prize may be retracted.

WRITERS ARE REQUESTED TO FILL IN THE ENTRY FORM. PLEASE STATE YOUR REAL NAMEs ON THE ENTRY FORM. YOUR NAME SHOULD ONLY APPEAR ON THE ENTRY FORM AND NOT ON THE SCRIPT.

The winners of this competition will be announced on SAfm on the 4th of March 2024. Please note that only the winners will be personally notified.
SAfm will have the right to broadcast each of the winning entries twice, with subsequent broadcasts, if any, attracting repeat payment at current rates. Other entries of a high standard may, at the sole discretion of SAfm, also be broadcast by SAfm in the usual way at current rates of payment.
SAfm reserves the exclusive right to contract any plays entered in this competition for a period of 6 (six) months after the announcement of the winners.
For more information contact SAfm Drama’s on drama@safm.co.za
Competition Name: SAfm Playwriting Competition
Applicable For: Competition open to South African Citizens only