Naledi Malotana is a finalist in the 2025 National Playwright Competition. Three other finalists have also been nominated as finalists of which the winner will have his or her play staged at the National Arts Festival and also win R20 000
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The excitement is palpable as the National Playwright Competition announces its four finalists, each vying for the coveted title and a chance to have their work staged at the 2025 National Arts Festival. Designed to amplify the voices of emerging playwrights, the competition provides invaluable mentorship and a platform for creativity, highlighting the richness of South African storytelling.
This year marks the fourth edition of the competition, which encourages entrants to write in their preferred language, thus embracing the diverse linguistic landscape of the nation. Previous winners include acclaimed playwrights such as Amy-Louse Wilson, Koleka Putuma, and Sibongakonke Mama, who have gone on to achieve significant acclaim in the arts.
Each of the finalists will receive R5,000 and be paired with a mentor, guiding them as they refine their scripts for final presentation. The ultimate victor will not only have their work produced at the prestigious arts festival but will also walk away with an additional R20,000 prize.
Thozama Busakwe is a finalist in the 2025 National Playwright Competition
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Lwando Sindaphi is a finalist in the 2025 National Playwright Competition
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Campbell Meas is a finalist in the 2025 National Playwright Competition
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The National Arts Festival's CEO, Monica Newton, expressed her enthusiasm for the competition, stating, “It all starts with a script and if it’s a South African script, even better. When we tell our own stories in our own languages, we capture the essence of what it is to be South African.”
With an expert panel of 15 adjudicators reviewing the works, the finalists are set to embark on an exciting journey of development and mentorship. Their commitment to challenging norms and pushing the boundaries of theatre speaks volumes about the contemporary cultural scene in South Africa.
