Writer's Groups in South Africa
Eastern
Cape
Bhala Writers' Group - Umtata - Contact Mr. Matyumza
at 082 6700 907 or email him.
Gauteng
The Monday Workshop is a weekly get-together on
Mondays from 18.00 to 22.00. The venue is at 17, Rietfontein Road, Rivonia,
Johannesburg. Poetry, stories, novels, and screenplays etc. welcome. Contact
Jane Fox on 011-803-1849 or 082 9207 952.
Fully Booked Writers' Group is a new group for writer's
and readers of all genres. Share critique, ideas and books. Please contact
Mary van Ede for more information. Tel: 011 450 1040
Pretoria Writers' Circle: Members meet for a General
Meeting on the 1st Saturday of every month at 280 Jupiter Street (cnr. Jupiter
and Rigel South), Waterkloof Ridge. The PWC also run separate Poetry and Prose
Workshops on the 2nd and 3rd Saturdays. Contact Carole Barber (PRO) on 082
490 4425 or email for more information.
New members welcome!
Kwa-Zulu Natal
Live Poet's Society - At each meeting there is usually
a notable guest poet, followed by the evening's theme which is decided in
the previous month. Members present their poems which are inked to the theme.
There is also always a Poet Pourri where members present work on any topic.
Adams Books Coffee Shop, Musgrave Centre, Musgrave, Berea, Durban. 5:30 pm
every second Wednesday of each month (except January). There is no subscription
or entry fee, but donations towards expenses are accepted. Please contact
Brett Beiles 031 266 4762 or 082 516 0517; Email
South African Writers' Circle holds monthly meetings. SAWC encourages and assists all writers, both novice and accomplished; and promotes the art of creative writing in general. There is an annual membership. Email Merilyn Tomkins (Chairlady) for more information or phone 031 564 7660.
Mpumalanga
Mpumalanga Writers Association: Please direct your
enquiries to the Chairperson of the Association, Mr Marcus Sikosana on 013
249 8576 or 460 6250 or email
him.
Western Cape
Pinelands Writer's Circle: The Pinelands
Writers' Circle meet at 9:30 am in the Committee Room of the Pinelands Library
on the second Saturday of each month from February to November. Each member
is encouraged to read aloud a given short story assignment of 1,500 words
that he or she has written during the previous month. These assignments are
then adjudicated and feedback is given at the next meeting. Membership is
R50 per annum. Contacts: Ray Hattingh (Chairman), tel: 021 592 1279; fax:
021 592 1284; email and Stewart Finney
(Treasurer), tel: 021 532 7601 email.
Ray Hattingh, Director SAARP. Reg. No: 95 / 09042 / 08, FSP 4234, Director
and General Manager, SAARP Social Services. Reg. No: 2006 / 003084 / 08, 079-415-NPO.
Head Office and Registered Office of both companies: 125 Vasco Boulevard,
Goodwood. Postal Address: P O Box 13222 N1 City 7463. Web.
Cape
Town: Writing Group for Women convene every third Saturday of
the month. This writing group for women meets in Cape Town to write and share
their thoughts in a casual environment. Snacks are provided. Venue: 5 Howe
St. Loft 5, Observatory, Cape Town, from 15:30 to 17:30. For more information
email Anna or phone 083 375 9686.
Bergvliet Writers Circle -
this group has an annual programme of writing projects including short stories,
articles, plays for radio or television, and they have even written an episode
of a soap opera. We meet 2nd Wednesday of each month, at Marina de Gama. Membership
fee: R40 per annum. Monthly assignments receive a critique, either from two
members within the circle, or from an outside critic. Chairman Jan Bowley.
Email Ginny Swart (Secretary) for
more details.or phone 083 5565 237.
Betty's
Bay Writers Group meets once a month to foster and encourage
creative writing with a view to being published. This group has been active
for over 25 years. Membership is open to all who are interested in developing
their writing skills. Members must undertake to submit at least 4 manuscripts
per year for evaluation and critique. Our group has close contact with the
Bergvliet Writers' Circle. Meetings take place on the second Thursday of every
month from 19:00 at Kikimbala, Lipkin Road, Betty's Bay. Contact Jean Martindale
on 028 272-9654.
Bhala Writers' Group - Contact: Fikiswa Magqshela
or Mrs Yawa at 021 466 2590
Fish Hoek Writers' Group - Meets at Fish Hoek Library.
For further information contact Fish Hoek Library on 021 782 1115.
Kenilworth Writers' Circle - For both fiction and
memoir writers. Beginners welcome. For enquiries and details contact Jean
Knighton-Fitt on 021 762 2724 or email
her.
Lansdowne Local Writers Group - Bring along a dozen
photocopies of a short story, novel chapter, play scene or poem that you'd
like members' constructive criticism and comment. Or just can just listen
and enjoy others' work. Meetings are held on the last Saturday of each month
from 18:00 at 36 Markham Road, Claremont 7708. Contact Keith Gottschalk on
082 202 3304.
Out to Lunch Writers' Group is a weekly writing
group. All writer's are welcome. Provides a platform to write and read every
week, with other writers, even if you're a complete novice. Meetings take
place every Wednesday between 13:00 and 14:00. Contact
Mandla Matyumza at the Centre for the Book [62 Queen Victoria Street, Cape
Town] on Tel: (021)
423 2669 or email her.
South
African Writers Association (SAWA) meets quarterly. Contact
Keith Gottschalk on 082 202 3304
WriteScapes meet once a month in Kalk Bay and Somerset
West. Contact Mandy Lebides on 021 788 8375 or 082 453 6262.
The West
Coast Writers Circle meets on the last Saturday morning,
monthly, at the Milnerton Library, Pienaar St, in Cape Town. Various topics
are covered at the meetings: writing exercises, writing to a theme, peer group
review of work, mini-workshops on specific subjects (e.g. poetry, writing
for magazines), etc. Members are encouraged to suggest topics and guest speakers.
All welcome. More info: phone Alison Smith 021 554 5634 or email
