Terms and Conditions for Submitting to The Agenda

1. Eligibility

Submissions are open to all BMF members, partners, invited contributors, and individuals aligned with the BMF’s mission of socio-economic transformation. However, preference will be given to contributors who are current BMF members in good standing.

2. Monthly Themes and Editorial Calendar
All submissions must align to the published monthly editorial themes, which are subject to periodic updates. Each theme provides a specific lens for contributors to engage with issues of leadership, transformation, policy, and social impact.

3. Publication Capacity and Selection
We publish a maximum of four (4) articles per month aligned to each month’s theme. Articles will be reviewed and selected on a first come, first serve basis. Early submission is strongly encouraged.

 

4. Originality and Authorship
Submissions must be the original work of the author. Content that has been previously published (including on LinkedIn or organisational blogs) must be declared upon submission and may be accepted only if substantially adapted for The Agenda audience. Plagiarism will result in automatic rejection.

5. Editorial Review and Revisions
All submissions are subject to editorial review. The comms team may request revisions for clarity, tone, alignment with BMF standards, or structural improvements. Publication is conditional upon the contributor implementing the requested revisions within the given timeline.

6. Tone and Style Compliance
Contributors must ensure their work aligns with the editorial tone of The Agenda: bold, professional, empowering, and inclusive. Articles must not be academic in tone, overly promotional, or rely heavily on citations. Excessive subheadings, generic content, or AI-generated text without clear human refinement may be declined.

7. Article Length and Format
Submissions must fall between 800 and 1,200 words. Articles should be submitted in Word Doc format and must include:

  • Title of the article

  • Author’s full name and role/title

  • One-paragraph professional bio

  • Link to Linkedin and BMF member profiles

8. Rights and Permissions
By submitting to The Agenda, contributors grant BMF the non-exclusive right to edit, publish, and distribute the content across its platforms (including website, social media, newsletters, and printed publications). Contributors retain the right to republish the content elsewhere, provided that original publication on The Agenda is acknowledged.

9. Editorial Discretion
The BMF comms team reserves the right to decline any submission that does not meet the platform’s standards, ethical guidelines, or thematic alignment—even after initial acceptance or revisions.

10. Communication and Timelines
Contributors will be notified within 7–10 working days of submission regarding acceptance, revision, or rejection. Final scheduling of articles for publication is at the discretion of the comms team.


For any queries, please contact bmfpublications@bmfonline.co.za.

 

Updated: 19 May 2025