VER[r]AS, the student society of the Department of Afrikaans and Dutch, launched the 2021 edition of Penseel on Wednesday 2 March. Twenty eight poets and short-story authors have been included in this volume. Selection for the 2021 edition was done by Dr Amanda Marais, Dr Alfred Schaffer and Mr Marius Swart.

The 2021 editorial team – students who confess to being mad about reading and writing – described the process of putting the volume together as long and challenging, but also refreshing, satisfying and educational. And those who will still be on campus for the 2022 edition look forward to being part of the process once again.

The 2021 editorial team consisted of Maryna Adshade (editor), Charlton Andrew, Pippa Bester, Anouk Cronjé, Madeleine Kruger, Rentia Meyer, Karla van der Merwe (assistant editor) and Duné van Jaarsveld.

Penseel has an august history stretching back to 1969/1970 and an initiative by the then-unknown Danie Botha and Fanie Olivier. Since then, authors such as Joan Hambidge, Daniel Hugo, Loftus Marais and Marlene van Niekerk have all contributed. The 2021 and 2022 editions deserve their place in history because they appeared in and will be compiled during the Department of Afrikaans and Dutch's centenary.