CAPE TOWN: Young people between the ages of 15 and 21 are being invited to reflect on the topic of racism by entering the fifth annual Ahmed Kathrada Foundation youth essay writing competition.
The winner of the competition will receive R2 000 while second place wins R1 000 and R500 will be given to the third-placed winner.
The topics include: A future without racism is possible, Schools should be laboratories of anti-racism, Apartheid is over and Racism is over. Or is it?
Essays must be 1 000 to 1 400 words and should relate to the topics provided.
“The unique opportunity is open to eager young people and will see them nurturing and developing their writing skills. There are three topics for participants to choose from and we encourage them to reflect on the one that resonates with them the most,” said Ahmed Kathrada Foundation executive director Neeshan Balton.
Originality is paramount in the writing competition, Balton said, adding: “We want to hear your story, in your unique voice expressed through your style of writing.”
Now in its fifth year, the essay writing competition is the only one of its kind in the country devoted exclusively to hearing the thoughts and feelings of the youth in relation to racism.
“Every year, hundreds of young people have entered the competition writing personal narratives of their own about racism, a thorny topic. They have shared unique experiences and opened their hearts on issues of racism in post-apartheid South Africa,” Balton said.
All of the participants will receive certificates upon submission of their entries. They can write in any South African language, but can only enter once. Essays must be original and plagiarism will not be tolerated.
Essays must indicate the following details: name and surname, email address if applicable, best contact number and physical address. The deadline to submit entries is October 29 and they should be sent to either youth@kathradafoundation.org or by post to P.O.Box 3240 Lenasia 1820.
Cape Times
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