Picture: Maitshwarelo Dintwa/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
A learner from Pinagare High School in Taung scooped R40 000 after winning Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) High School Essay competition. Maitshwarelo Dintwa (17) was among the 10 winners announced by the third largest party in South Africa.
EFF national spokesperson, Sinawo Tambo said in a statement, the party is proud to announce the winners of its 10th Anniversary High School Essay and Poetry competitions. Sinawo further said, the competitions were launched earlier this year as one of the many extraordinary programs to celebrate EFF’s 10 years of unbroken struggle.
“For the essay competition, participants explored the topic “A 10-year history of the EFF”” in all official languages, with each winner receiving a grand prize of R40,000 per language. On the other hand, the poetry competition invited contestants to chronicle the EFF’s journey since 2013 in any of our official languages, offering a prestigious prize of R50 000 to one winner in any language.
“The EFF’s commitment to free, quality and decolonised education has been steadfast since our inception on the 26 July 2013. The recent Progress in International Reading and Literacy Study (PIRLS) unveiled a stark reality – among more than 50 countries surveyed, there was a sharp decline in reading comprehension among South African learners,” he said.
Sinawo added that, the decline is especially prevalent in African language instruction schools. He said they, therefore, initiated the competition to promote both writing and reading engagement.
“The EFF recognises the importance of preserving and revitalising our native tongues as an important part of instilling African pride that will elevate our languages to their rightful place globally,” he said.
The winners of the High School Essay Competition are:
1. Dintwa, Maitshwarelo (Setswana), Pingare High School, Taung, North West
2. Gumede, Sinothando (lsiZulu), Umlazi Comprehensive Technical High School, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
3. Joggom, Sibusiso (Afrikaans), Hoerskool Hopetown, Hopetown, Northern Cape
4. Khumalo, Hloniphile (lsiNdebele), lntuthuko Secondary School, Siyabuswa, Mpumalanga
5. Mathoma, Orifha (Tshivenda), Litshovhu Secondary School, Makhado, Limpopo
6. Metiso, Boitumelo (SeSwati), Sintitile Secondary School, KwaNyamazane, Mpumalanga
7. Moganedi, Karabo (English), Hoerskool Westonaria, Westonaria, Gauteng
8. Ngozo, Relebohile (Sesotho), The Beacon Secondary School, Witsieshoek, Free State
9. Ramontja, Tlabego (Sepedi), Lesedi Secondary School, Silverton, Gauteng
10. Ringane, Kgolagano (lsiXhosa), Hans Kekana Secondary School, Majaneng, North West
The winner Poetry Competition is Musa Baloyi, from Soweto, Gauteng, who composed a poem in Xitsonga.
TaungDailyNews 