Wits University Press has published a collection of sketches by Mike van Graan from his 6 satirical revues: the three editions of the Bafana Republic franchise, Pay Back the Curry, State Fracture and Land Acts.  The publication is available at Exclusive Books and from Wits University Press.

As part of the campaign to market the publication, a two-fold competition is being conducted in association with the STAND Foundation which aims to nurture, promote, evolve and celebrate contemporary South African theatre and dance.

The aim of this campaign is to encourage South African satirical writing and satirical theatre performance.

The royalties earned from the sales of the publication will be donated to the STAND Foundation.

There are two components to this campaign:

1. One component is aimed at young professional actors aged 18-35 who are invited to rehearse, perform and film any of the sketches in the publication, Bafana Republic and Other Satires, with the best sketch performances winning monetary prizes
2. The second component is a competition aimed at young, out-of-school writers aged 18-35, who are invited to submit satirical sketches dealing with contemporary issues; each sketch is to be 3-5 minutes in length, and is limited to one or two performers.

Rules and parameters of the competition for professional actors:

1. The competition is open to all actors aged 19-35.
2. Actors may perform any character irrespective of gender.
3. Actors may choose any of the sketches in the publication, Bafana Republic and Other Satires published by Wits University Press, and available from Exclusive Books.
4. Actors may perform and submit more than one sketch.
5. The full sketch is to be learned and performed but may be edited so as to not exceed 5 minutes.
6. The sketch is to be performed in English, but vernacular may be used where deemed appropriate.
7. Actors may prepare the sketch by themselves or with the help of others.
8. Costuming, sound, special effects, etc are not necessary but could be used to enhance the sketch.  Judging will be done primarily on the interpretation and performance.
9. The sketch is to be performed and filmed using a phone camera or other device.
10. The filmed sketch is to be uploaded onto the actor’s Facebook page or Instagram by 12 October 2020 and include the hashtags #BafanaRepublicandOtherSatires and #STANDFoundationChallenge
11. Once uploaded, actors are to send their details (name, email address, age, city of location) and the link to their sketch to Lunchbox Theatre who are managing the project stuart@lunchbox.org.za (call Stuart Palmer at 0834230083 if you are having difficulty).
12. A panel of judges appointed by STAND Foundation will shortlist at least ten sketches from the submissions.
13. The public will be invited to select their best sketch from this shortlist from 14 October 2020.
14. The panel of judges will select their best three sketches by 31 October 2020. 
15. For the adjudicated sketches, there will be a first, second and third prize of R5000, R4000 and R3000 respectively.  
16. The audience prize will be worth R3000.
17. The winning sketches may be used for further marketing of the publication.

Rules and parameters of the satirical writing competition for out-of-school writers

1. The competition aims to promote satirical sketch writing for theatre performance.
2. The competition is open to all writers aged 18-35 who are not in school.
3. Writers may refer to Bafana Republic and Other Satires published by Wits University Press and available at Exclusive Books but are encouraged to produce satirical work in a style or form that works for them.
4. The sketch is to be no longer than 750 words.
5. The sketch is to be performed preferably by one person, but by a maximum of two performers.
6. The theme/s of the sketch may address any contemporary South African social, political, economic or other issue.
7. The genre is satire i.e. “the use of humour, irony, exaggeration or ridicule to expose or criticise people’s stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics or other topical issues” 
8. Written submissions including the writer’s name, city of location, gender, age, a brief CV and the script are to be sent to stuart@lunchbox.org.za by 14 October 2020. 
9. A panel of judges will select the best five sketches by 31 October, all of which will receive R2000.