OYSTERHOOD is reclusiveness or solitude, or an overwhelming desire to stay at home.

— @HaggardHawks

Can you believe it? The South African Literary Journal – New Contrast has been in existence for sixty years! The last issue of this year (December) will celebrate this incredible achievement. It’s a great time to start a subscription.

Together with Drift Wines Estate, the journal is also running a wonderful poetry competition: The National Poetry Prize. A great poem can win you R10 000 (first prize)! You can read up on the entry guidelines and submit your poetry here: Submit to the National Poetry Prize.

New Contrast is about to enter a new era and I am excited to be part of this prestigious literary adventure as it celebrates its 60th birthday. I have been looking at the archival material today and I am still glowing from the experience.

Apart from a late afternoon walk, dinner and some TV watching with my love in the evening, this has been a rather work-heavy Sunday. A lot of literary admin and quite a lot of household work. But I did enjoy some RG tennis (Rafa won) while ironing. I also cleaned the pool – it looked rather green after my absence of two weeks. It was such a lovely day and the water felt so pleasant that I think the swimming season is about to be opened chez moi.

Ahead is a busy week, but busy with really good things.

Sleep first. Dreams. Good night.

Be kind. Wear a mask. Support local.

“Physical distancing remains one of the key strategies to curb this pandemic.”

— NICD