English Alive
An annual anthology of writing by South African high school students
The first edition of English Alive was published in 1967, and it has been published every year since then.
Approximately 70 pieces of poetry and prose of all sorts and about anything are selected for publication each year. Brief comments on the pieces are offered by the editor.
English Alive is not a competition: there are no cups or prizes handed out for ‘the best’ pieces of writing. Publication is the acknowledgement of writing of quality.
A last cautionary note. Plagiarism is theft, theft of someone else’s words and ideas. No one would want to be guilty of that. Original thinking and original writing are so much more worthwhile!
Where can I get further information about English Alive?
If you have any further questions:
E-mail the editor at editor@englishalive.org.za.
How do I order a copy?
Click here order a copy of English Alive or send an email to orders@englishalive.org.za.
How do I submit to English Alive?
Publication is usually around mid-August each year.
We also invite students to submit artwork for consideration for the cover. Send this by email as a high-resolution 300 dpi jpg to editor@englishalive.org.za.
Who has been published in English Alive?
Too many to mention individually! Many students who submitted to English Alive have since become professional published writers, e.g. the poet Jeremy Cronin, the prose-writer Henrietta Rose-Innes, the dramatist Nadia Davids, the novelist Shaun Johnson, etc.
27 April 2024 Freedom Day Iziko ~ (L-R) Jasantha Singh, Khomotso Ntando Mamashela, Nthando Douglas Shabangu.
Lin-Mari-Rudolph-Presenting-online-27-Apr-2024
This Freedom Day, 3 learners published in English Alive 2023 were invited by Iziko Museum to their celebrations.
Nthando Douglas Shabangu (Claremont High School) bravely shared her life-changing journey from children’s home to adoption in ‘A New life, A New Beginning’. Khomotso Mamashela a fellow learner, (presenting in August) interactively engaged with her peers around the ‘Freedom of Choice’ and voting for the first time. Joining online from Midstream College, Pretoria was Lin-Mari Rudolph who closed the program with her uplifting dreams for a future South Africa in ‘We Could’.
Africa Day 2024
Lily Callaghan (Great Westerford High School)
Leeyah Essa (ex-learner from St. Teresa’s)
To celebrate Africa Day on 25th May, Lily Callaghan (Great Westerford High School) took time out from her matric exams to share ‘Blinded by colour’.
Leeyah Essa (ex-learner from St. Teresa’s) nostalgically shared her heartwarming ‘An ode to African baobabs’ online. Both learners were published in English Alive 2022.
Learners selected to present at Iziko’s commemorative day events receive communication and presentation skills coaching from English Alive’s Jasantha Singh. An alumni Coach from The College of Applied Psychology. Who is also the liaison between the participating schools, Iziko Museum and English Alive.