Imbali is the isiZulu word for flower — a name that beautifully reflects both the heart of ROSA and the spirit of the award itself. Across South African culture, the word carries poetic and symbolic meaning, often associated with places of beauty, growth, and flourishing life. It is a fitting tribute to stories that bloom from human creativity, emotional truth, and the enduring power of love.

The Imbali Award is ROSA’s most prestigious annual literary honour, recognising excellence in romance writing by South African authors. The award is open to all South African published authors (both traditionally and indie) whose work celebrates romance in all its richness and diversity.

Every submission must be an original work of romantic fiction, featuring a central love story and an ending that is emotionally satisfying and optimistic.

The Imbali Award welcomes submissions in English, Afrikaans, and isiXhosa, reflecting ROSA’s commitment to celebrating the full breadth of South African storytelling. Where sufficient entries are received, separate awards may be presented for English and Afrikaans titles.

Winners are honoured at the annual ROSA Awards Ceremony during RosaCon, where the romance writing community gathers to celebrate achievement, creativity, and the authors who continue to shape the genre in South Africa.

Alongside the Imbali Award, ROSA also presents the ROSA Debut Author Award, which recognises outstanding first-time authors. This category is open to works between 25 000 and 60 000 words in both English and Afrikaans.

ROSA firmly believes that romance fiction must remain rooted in authentic human experience. For this reason, AI-generated content is prohibited in all submissions. At the heart of every great romance novel lies human imagination, emotional resonance, and original storytelling.