Abantu Literacy League celebrated its one-year anniversary in a meaningful and impactful way by giving back to the community that has supported it from day one.
On 10 July, the organisation hosted a regional essay competition at its centre in Drieziek 3, bringing together young minds from across Orange Farm.The event was a celebration of the power of storytelling and literacy, especially among the youth.
The competition targeted learners from Grade 3 to Grade 10 and invited them to write positive stories about Orange Farm a township close to their hearts and filled with untapped potential. For Abantu Literacy League, this was not just a competition, but an extension of their mission to nurture a reading and writing culture in under-resourced communities.
Submissions opened on 10 April and closed on 10 June. Although the number of entries received was lower than expected, the team was encouraged by the efforts of those who participated. The process revealed just how deep the literacy challenges run in the community, prompting the League to organise writing clinics to support participants in refining their work.
While some entrants dropped out after being asked to revise their essays, others returned stronger and more determined, giving themselves a better chance of being selected as winners.In the end, the first category Grades 3 to 5 did not yield any final submissions, leaving only two categories to be judged.
The Grade 6 to 8 group received a particularly high number of quality entries and the judges decided to award two winners from that category. Three outstanding young writers were ultimately crowned as this year’s champions. Njabulo Ntuli, a Grade 9 learner from Vulanidlela Secondary School, Melokuhle Shelembe, a Grade 8 learner from Raphela Secondary School and Francisca Bembere, a Grade 6 learner from Itemoheng Primary School, each received R1 000 along with a certificate to recognise their achievement.
“We couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate than to uplift the young minds of Orange Farm. Literacy is our passion and purpose. We believe that every story matters,” said Abantu Literacy League.
The competition is set to become an annual event. Looking ahead to 2026, the organisation aims to expand the competition to include adult participants and open it up to neighbouring areas such as Evaton, Majazana, Finetown, Lakeside, and beyond.
Abantu Literacy League extended heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of the event, including Bashley Mashego, Boxer Superstores, Dr Fikile Cynthia Mabena, Nobuhle Nkambule, Palesa Mavundla, Senelisiwe Ngubeni, Sihle Gaba and Tshepang Mizo.
“Our aim is to build a culture of reading and writing in communities where literacy has long been overlooked” – Abantu Literacy League.
Images: Abantu Literacy League
