How to Become a Professional Writer in South Africa: Best Courses & Degrees
Dreaming of turning your love for words into a thriving career? Becoming a professional writer in South Africa is an achievable goal with the right education, skills, and strategy. From crafting novels to penning marketing copy, the opportunities are vast in a country with a vibrant literary scene and growing demand for skilled communicators.
Why Become a Professional Writer in South Africa?
South Africa’s rich cultural diversity, dynamic media landscape, and booming digital economy make it a fertile ground for writers. Whether you’re drawn to storytelling, journalism, or business writing, the demand is real:
Literary Growth: SA’s book market is expanding, with local authors like Zakes Mda and Lauren Beukes gaining global acclaim.
Digital Demand: Companies need content creators for websites, social media, and advertising—freelance writers earned ZAR 300–1,500 per article in 2024 (SA Writers College data).
Affordable Education: Degrees and courses cost ZAR 40,000–75,000/year, far below international averages.
Steps to Become a Professional Writer in South Africa
To succeed, you’ll need education, skills, and hustle. Here’s the fastest roadmap to a writing career:
- Build a Foundation: Start with a degree or course to hone your craft.
- Develop Skills: Master grammar, storytelling, and adaptability—key for all writing niches.
- Gain Experience: Write for school papers, blogs, or volunteer gigs to build a portfolio.
- Network: Join writing groups like the Writers Guild of South Africa (WGSA) or online communities.
- Get Published: Pitch to publishers, clients, or self-publish to establish credibility.
Best Degrees for Aspiring Writers in South Africa
A degree provides structure and prestige. Here are the top university programs to launch your writing career in 2025:
1. University of Cape Town (UCT) – BA in English Literature
- Location: Cape Town
- Why It’s Top: Ranked Africa’s #1 university (QS 2025: ~171), UCT offers a deep dive into literary theory, creative writing, and critical analysis—perfect for fiction writers or editors.
- Duration: 3 years + optional Honours (1 year).
- Cost: ZAR 60,000–75,000/year.
- Career Paths: Novelist, journalist, academic.
- Best For: Storytellers with literary ambitions.
2. University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) – BA in Creative Writing
- Location: Johannesburg
- Why It’s Top: Wits blends practical writing workshops with theory (QS 2025: ~264), offering a Graduate Entry option to fast-track into Honours for degree holders.
- Duration: 3 years + Honours (1 year).
- Cost: ZAR 55,000–70,000/year.
- Career Paths: Author, screenwriter, content creator.
- Best For: Versatile writers seeking hands-on training.
3. Stellenbosch University – BA in Language and Culture
- Location: Stellenbosch
- Why It’s Top: Focuses on multilingual writing and cultural storytelling (QS 2025: ~283), ideal for writers in SA’s diverse linguistic landscape.
- Duration: 3 years + optional Honours.
- Cost: ZAR 55,000–70,000/year.
- Career Paths: Copywriter, editor, cultural commentator.
- Best For: Multilingual creatives.
4. University of South Africa (UNISA) – BA in Creative Writing
- Location: Distance learning (nationwide)
- Why It’s Top: Affordable and flexible, UNISA’s online program suits working students, covering fiction, poetry, and scriptwriting.
- Duration: 3–6 years (part-time option).
- Cost: ZAR 40,000–50,000/year.
- Career Paths: Freelance writer, poet, playwright.
- Best For: Self-paced learners on a budget.
5. University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) – BA in Media and Communication
- Location: Durban/Pietermaritzburg
- Why It’s Top: Combines journalism and creative writing with media skills, preparing you for digital and print markets.
- Duration: 3 years + optional Honours.
- Cost: ZAR 45,000–60,000/year.
- Career Paths: Journalist, content marketer, PR writer.
- Best For: Media-savvy writers.
Entry Requirements: Matric with 60–80% in English and History; NBT for most programs.
Best Short Courses for Writers in South Africa
Short courses offer quick, targeted training. Here are the top options from reputable providers:
1. SA Writers College – Creative Writing Courses
- What It Offers: 35+ online courses (e.g., Write a Novel, Short Story Writing) with one-on-one mentoring by award-winning SA authors.
- Duration: 6–12 months.
- Cost: ZAR 7,000–15,000 per course.
- Why It’s Top: Practical, flexible, and tailored to SA’s market.
- Career Paths: Novelist, freelance writer, scriptwriter.
2. GetSmarter (UCT Partnership) – Creative Writing Short Course
- What It Offers: Online, 10-week program focusing on storytelling and editing, certified by UCT.
- Duration: 10 weeks.
- Cost: ZAR 12,000–15,000.
- Why It’s Top: Prestigious certification, bite-sized learning.
- Career Paths: Author, editor, content creator.
3. Red & Yellow Creative School – Copywriting Course
- What It Offers: Online or in-person training in advertising copy, brand voice, and digital content.
- Duration: 10 weeks–6 months.
- Cost: ZAR 10,000–20,000.
- Why It’s Top: Industry-focused, with ties to SA’s ad agencies.
- Career Paths: Copywriter, marketer, social media writer.
4. The Writing Studio – Scriptwriting Course
- What It Offers: Online workshops on film, TV, and stage writing, led by SA industry pros.
- Duration: 8–12 weeks.
- Cost: ZAR 8,000–12,000.
- Why It’s Top: Niche focus on SA’s growing film industry.
- Career Paths: Screenwriter, playwright.
Pro Tip: Pair a short course with a degree for a killer combo of credentials and skills.
Career Paths for Writers in South Africa
A writing career in SA is diverse—here’s what you can do, with salary ranges and demand insights:
1. Novelist/Fiction Writer
- Role: Write books for publishers like Penguin Random House SA or self-publish on Amazon.
- Earnings: ZAR 50,000–500,000/book (royalties); top authors exceed ZAR 1 million.
- Demand: Growing with local literary festivals (e.g., Franschhoek Lit Fest).
- Path: UCT BA or SA Writers College.
2. Journalist
- Role: Report news for outlets like Mail & Guardian or News24.
- Earnings: ZAR 250,000–450,000 (entry-level); ZAR 700,000+ (senior).
- Demand: High—digital journalism is booming.
- Path: UKZN BA Media or Wits BA.
3. Copywriter
- Role: Craft ads and content for brands like Nando’s or Vodacom.
- Earnings: ZAR 300,000–500,000 (entry-level); ZAR 800,000+ (senior).
- Demand: Strong—SA’s ad industry is world-class.
- Path: Red & Yellow or Stellenbosch BA.
4. Technical Writer
- Role: Write manuals or guides for tech firms or government.
- Earnings: ZAR 350,000–600,000 (entry-level); ZAR 1 million+ (experienced).
- Demand: Rising with tech growth.
- Path: UNISA BA + short course.
5. Screenwriter
- Role: Pen scripts for SA films or series (e.g., Netflix’s Blood & Water).
- Earnings: ZAR 200,000–800,000/project.
- Demand: Expanding with streaming platforms.
- Path: The Writing Studio or Wits BA Creative Writing.
How to Break Into the Industry
- Build a Portfolio: Start a blog, pitch freelance pieces, or enter competitions (e.g., Short Story Day Africa).
- Freelance First: Platforms like Upwork or local sites like NoSweat pay ZAR 300–2,000 per gig.
- Publish: Submit to SA publishers (e.g., Jacana Media) or self-publish via Kindle Direct Publishing.
- Upskill: Learn SEO, digital tools, or a second language (Afrikaans, isiZulu) for an edge.
- Persist: Rejection is normal—J.M. Coetzee faced it too. Keep refining and submitting.
Pros and Cons of a Writing Career in SA
Pros
- Flexibility: Work from anywhere—Cape Town to your couch.
- Impact: Shape narratives in a country with stories to tell.
- Growth: Digital and creative sectors are expanding fast.
Cons
- Competition: Saturated freelance market requires standout work.
- Income Variability: Earnings fluctuate until established.
- Time Investment: Degrees take 3–7 years; success isn’t instant.
Your Action Plan
Choose Your Path: UCT for literary depth, SA Writers College for quick skills—match your timeline.
Boost Matric: Aim for 70%+ in English—key for admissions.
Fund It: Apply for NSFAS or bursaries by December 2025.
Start Writing: Join NaNoWriMo or local workshops now.
Stay Ahead: Follow SA writing trends on X—e.g., digital content demand.
Keywords: How to become a professional writer South Africa, best writing courses 2025, top creative writing degrees SA, writer career paths South Africa.
Thandi N., Novelist, Cape Town: “UCT’s BA sparked my debut novel—published at 28!”
Mark P., Copywriter, Joburg: “Red & Yellow’s course got me into an agency in six months.”
Final Verdict: Is Writing Worth It in SA?
Yes, becoming a professional writer in South Africa is a smart move for 2025. The best degrees (UCT, Wits, UNISA) and top courses (SA Writers College, Red & Yellow) offer affordable, world-class training. With career paths from journalism to screenwriting, earning potential spans ZAR 250,000–1 million+, driven by SA’s creative and digital boom. It takes grit—years of study and hustle—but the reward is a career of freedom and influence. Your story starts now—where will you train?
Ready to write? Explore UCT or SA Writers College today. Share this online guide with aspiring writers in South Africa—drop your questions below!
