City Attractions take the spotlight in ‘Things I Love About Durban’ Writing Challenge

Mikhail Peppas

Get those creative juices flowing and share your love for Durban through story.

The ‘One-Pager’ Writing Challenge themed ‘Things I Love About Durban / Izinto Engizithandayo NgeTheku’ runs until Saturday, 11 March. The competition is presented by Book & Design Fair Durban and Durban Central Community Tourism Organisation (DCTO).

Declare your love for the city’s attractions: climate, cuisine, beaches, parks, galleries, creative hubs, quaint coffee shops and favourite hotspots.

Durban BunnyChow. Photo Sanabelle Ebrahim

Writers are encouraged to submit one typed A4-page in Microsoft Word or PDF format with a maximum 400 words, excluding the story title (Times New Roman, 12 font size) describing what they love about the city.

Only one submission per person will be accepted, in either English or isiZulu. Include a title for your story but not your name on the printed submission.

Complete the entry form and sign the register on submission of your story at the Durban Central Community Tourism Organisation (DCTO) offices, Old Pavilion Site, North Beach, Durban between 9.30am and 12midday on Saturday, 11 March.

Prizes sponsored by the DCTO comprise a R1 000 book voucher each for the best English and isiZulu submissions. There also awaits the chance to have participants’ stories included in a publication.

For more information, contact memberships@durbancto.co.za or 031 321 5140. Entry is free.

Book & Design Fair is Durban’s first book fair. Launched in September 2015, the annual event features a Narrative Futures Conference, KZN Provincial Poetry Day, writing retreats, literary challenges and book launches. A key attraction is The Frameside Lounge offering conversational spaces for comic book artists, graphic novelists, and folk craft entrepreneurs. The project seeks to establish Durban as the Writing Capital of Africa.

The DCTO provides information about attractions in the City Centre, accommodation, travel services, conference venues, and historical/cultural centres.

New Beach Durban. Photo Sanabelle Ebrahim