WELCOME TO NEW CONTRAST MAGAZINE
New Contrast is one of the oldest and most revered literary journals in South Africa – we celebrate our 66th anniversary this year. We are committed to publishing the best poetry, prose, interviews, art and reviews by both local and international authors. Join our readers and enjoy our 66-year-old tradition of excellent writing and art by subscribing. Writers and artists, submit your work at the button above (and please subscribe as well).
LATEST NEWS
Elgin Poetry Festival
Between 24 and 26 July 2026, Cheverells Farm and Liberty Books will be home to the inaugural Elgin Poetry Festival. Friday night starts the festival with fine dining and a poetry evening. Saturday will see a number of events, with New Contrast poets participating in the following events: Writing Between Languages with Shane van den Hoven, and The Geography of Poetry with Chantal Stewart. Saturday also includes an OPEN MIC session.
Out Now Issue 211
In memory of Diana Ferrus and Zoë Wicomb. So many of us in this time have turned to words. Words crafted against the impossible, words written in one’s own voice, words spoken in person, conveyed to others by video and audio, words across time zones, listened to, held onto. This is what we give one another and to all those who feel the steep scale of grief in the face of death. Words to lean our bodies against – Gabeba Baderoon
New Contrast Workshop on Submissions – 6 June
Learn how to submit your best work to journals: New Contrast editors will offer a Workshop on “The Submission Process: A Guide to Getting Published in Literary Journals” at the Open Book Workshop Week on Saturday June 6th, 2026 from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
LATEST NEW CONTRAST ISSUES
FROM THE ARCHIVES
Ukuthwetyulwa kukaAyanda by Hleze Kunju
Poetry - New Contrast Issue 206
A Fistful of Dahl by by Pravasan Pillay
Prose - Issue 205
Bombyx Mori by by Alice Sholto-Douglas
Poetry - New Contrast Issue 207
FROM OUR PATRONS
“Since its foundation in 1960, New Contrast literary magazine has been and continues to be the best-known and most reliable South African literary vehicle, subscribed to by numerous libraries in the English-speaking world. Many authors who subsequently gained an international reputation published their first work in it. The magazine is an important breeding ground for South African literature; it urgently needs the financial support that will enable it to stay alive and flourish.”
J. M. Coetzee, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature and Patron of New Contrast Literary Journal
“New Contrast has for decades, and throughout the benighted years, been a cultural beacon in South Africa. In its showcasing of creativity and especially new writing it has been an inspiration to art lovers and formative for many writers.”
Zoë Wicomb, winner of the inaugural Windham Campbell Prize and Patron of New Contrast Literary Journal