"You can do what I cannot do.
I can do what you cannot do.
Together we can do great things."

— Mother Teresa of Calcutta

ZA Difference invites ideas, stories, articles, poems, letters, photographs, cartoons and drawings from its readers.

We want to hear from all South Africans from every corner of the country. And don't worry about the English: we will check the spelling and grammar without changing the meaning of your words. It is your ideas and viewpoints, after all, that we're interested in.

(CSI and non-profits: we'd love to hear your stories, too, but there is a particular way in which we invite your participation. Please click here. )

• Poems must be able to fit on one page of the magazine once typeset; articles and essays must be between 800 and 1 000 words; short stories must be between 1 000 and 3 000 words;
• Entries must be your own, original, unpublished work, written in English.
• Poems could be published in your mother tongue if they are not too long, if you provide us with an English translation to print alongside the original.
• Photographs must be accompanied by a signed model-release form when an individual is clearly the subject of the photo. In the case of a minor, permission to print must be obtained from a parent or caretaking adult.

Here's what we pay for published submissions: R2 per published word, regardless if it is a letter, poem, article or caption. | We don’t pay for fanmail, questions for Prof. Jansen or contributions to ‘Witnessing the past’ or for a translation to appear alongside the original work. | Photographs and cartoons: R150 per published piece. | Re-publication — except on the ZA Difference website — of any work will earn half the original payment. | The author, artist or photographer will be acknowledged in a byline, with contact information (i.e. URL or cellphone number). | Re-publication — except for display of original published work online — will earn half the original payment. | We will endeavour to make payment within 30 days of the printing of the issue in which the contribution is published. Funding permitting, payments will be made by electronic transfer to the account details supplied or by money order to the author's name at the address supplied. If we do not have funding at that moment, you will be paid at the earliest possible opportunity. | If you would like to donate the payment due to you to ZA Difference so that others can reap the benefit, please let us know in writing. ZA Difference is a registered non-profit organisation.

Each contribution must include: A headline or caption for the material submitted. | Your full name (for payment purposes) and, if different, your pen name (for publishing purposes). | Contact information: an email address and cell number is required. Please indicate what information you would like to have published with your submission, i.e. an email and web address so that potential clients can contact you. (We are all about helping people in the trenches make money and do business with each other.) | A short description of what you do and a picture of yourself (head-shot) — if available. (May not be utilised, depending on space available.) | Your banking details for payment by EFT. | Your physical address for a money order if you don't have a bank account. | Your postal address, if different from your physical address, so that we can send you a copy of the magazine in which your contribution appears. | Do not separate this information: include it at the bottom of the article or list of captions. Do not assume that we have your information because you previously wrote for us.

Submissions are accepted on the understanding that the contributor: Holds and retains copyright to the material submitted. | Has cited all sources and has given credit where due. | Is 100% liable for the truthfulness and accuracy of the information submitted. | Understands that it is their responsibility to keep copies of their own work.

Book reviews: We require a minimum of 5 free copies in exchange for publishing a review of a book about South Africa or by a South African. 10 free copies for inclusion of cover icon on the ZA Difference cover. Submit press release and cover image first. If it is suitable for publication in ZA Difference, we will then request copies of the book. All free books will be used as subscription or competition incentives. Take a look at our editorial calendar to match your promotions to our planned themes.

ZA Difference: Is not in a position to acknowledge receipt of any material received — other than a delivery of promotional books — or to engage with the author about the merits of the submission. | Does not guarantee the publication of any material received. | Does not accept liability for the safekeeping of material in its possession and cannot return any material.

ZA Difference reserves the right to: Accept, reject, cut or otherwise use any text contribution as it sees fit. | Edit text for clarity, accuracy, grammar, spelling, presentation, sources and copyright, without obtaining permission for altered material prior to publication — unless otherwise requested by the author, in writing. | Decide whether or not to publish any material submitted in any of its publications — printed and online — at any time, with no prior re-confirmation with the author.

By submitting material for publication in ZA Difference, it is understood that you are familiar with and accept the above conditions.