In their newest zine volume, Klyntji.com journeys through the decades in a volume with a decidedly retro feel. Though the editorial team never curates according to a rigid theme, co-chief editor Toast Coetzer explains that every edition captures the zeitgeist of that year.

The works reflect the different worlds of the contributors, and that becomes the world of Ons Klyntji (the printed zine). The focus is mostly on South Africa, but many of the contributors live abroad and thus the diaspora is also represented.

In this volume, Actor Gérard Rudolf shares a remembrance from 1988 when he gave Johannes Kerkorrel and Koos du Plessis a lift from Joburg to Bloemfontein. Alternative music from the same era is also under discussion in the collection of homages to the musician Gary Herselman (The Kêrels, Gereformeerde Blues Band). In a piece about his favourite T-shirts, Fred de Vries introduces you to Italian anarchists and the Rotterdam punk band, The Apers, and recounts the time he went to see Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds live in New York. Homages also appear in some of the poetry in this edition, such as Seeglas by Tiaan la Grange (to Joha van Dyk) and Ugli Bob by Sjaka September (to Rob Murray).

Among the poets, several Klyntji regulars feature, such as Clinton V. du Plessis, Danie Marais, Abigail George and Diane Awerbuck, plus some of the country’s best young poets, like Pieter Madibuseng Odendaal, Ryan Pedro, Neo Mehlomakulu, Naidene Lottering and Shane van der Hoven. The themes vary widely across the spectrum: from the genocide in Gaza and memories of Steve Biko to escaping into nature and a writer’s moral struggle with ChatGPT. There are also short stories by Eben Venter (My Laaste Oujaarsaand), Ciaran R Maidwell (Choose Your Adventure) and Emma Olivier (Pres ‘Play’).

Strong artworks are presented, including work by William Bishop, Anton Barnard, Salome Wessels, Lezanne Scott, Vincent Engelbrecht, as well as photography by Bernard Brand, Liny Kruger and Gerdus van der Watt.

Ons Klyntji is fortunate to receive submissions from hitherto unknown contributors. This is partly thanks to the fact that they don’t follow a stiff, formal approach — even school children feel confident enough to submit their work. There aren’t too many barriers to publication. If the team likes it, it gets published. Publishing on paper is something that the Klyntji team holds dear, understanding that in many ways it still holds a greater sense of self-satisfaction for authors and artists.

Asked about the contemporary relevance of zines and the niche they fulfil, Toast remarks that there is a surge. This can be seen in examples like Babel Tower by Reinhard Venzke and the zine workshops presented by Bibi Slippers at the Stellenbosch Woordfees. Zines, he says, are cool right now. They are by nature sporadic and sometimes short-lived. They come and go with the changing times and scenes. Following from the retro trend detected in this year’s submissions, one could speculate that (particularly print) zines are cool right now precisely because they are a medium not of our now. They offer a vibe that you just can’t get from a smartphone, app or website.

In support of young, emerging and established creatives thinking about making a zine, Toast says: You just gotta do it. 

‘Money is not a big factor. You can start small. Small is better anyway. You don’t want to make a “success” of the thing, because then it becomes a burden where you have to deal with distribution, spreadsheets, and all that. Make a zine because you enjoy it. If someone else likes it too, bonus!’

Klyntji.com invites all lovers of creative work to their upcoming launch events to meet and mingle with the contributors and editors, and enjoy an evening with like-minded people. Joburgers can join them at the Love Books launch in Melville on Tuesday, 18 November 2025 at 17:30 for 18:00.

Editor Toast Coetzer will be the MC for the evening and readings will be given by writers Erin Conway-Smith, Nkateko Masinga, MP Fourie-Viljoen, Olwanda Saphokazi and Marna van den Berg. In Cape Town, you can join them at The Book Lounge on Tuesday, 09 December 2025 at 17:30 for 18:00. Toast will again run the show and Shane van der Hoven, Olga Leonard, Zian Viviers, Tamarisk Glogauer and Naidene Lottering will do readings. Afterwards, the party will move across the street to the Kimberley Hotel.

The zine is already available for purchase at Love Books and The Book Lounge, and can be ordered online from Clarke’s Books (www.clarkesbooks.co.za). Clarke’s also has back copies from previous years available. 

Thanks to the sponsorship of kykNET this year, the zine has delivered yet another brilliant celebration of alternative and multilingual poetry, short stories, art and photography. The zine both continues and evolves the legacy of the original Ons Klyntji, the first and oldest Afrikaans magazine. Next year will mark 130 years since the inception of Ons Klyntji, and they promise to make the occasion roar. Klyn begin, aanhou win.

You can follow Klyntji.com on Instagram @klyntji or submit your work for publication to zine@klyntji.com. Submissions are accepted year-round. Send in your poetry (best three pieces only) or short story in any language, or other creative work for consideration.