Abantu Literacy League, is celebrating its first anniversary with a powerful call to action – a regional Essay Competition aimed at unlocking creativity, nurturing talent and inspiring change among Orange Farm’s young minds.
Targeting learners in Grades 3 to 9, the initiative is more than just a writing challenge. It’s a bold response to the deep – seated literacy crisis affecting South Africa, and a hopeful answer to the social ills plaguing Orange Farm – from crime and gang violence to drug abuse.
The competition seeks to shift the narrative by equipping young people with a new lens through which to see their community, their future, and themselves. Studies by the Department of Basic Education and the University of Pretoria have found that 81% of Grade 4 learners in South Africa cannot read for meaning – a sobering reality Abantu Literacy League refuses to ignore. Instead, the organisation is choosing to celebrate its milestone by sparking intellectual curiosity and storytelling among the youth.
The competition offers a R1 000 cash prize to one winner in each of the three grade categories, along with a certificate and medal to honour their achievement. More than just a contest, this initiative is set to spark a reading and writing culture in the community, uncover budding authors and help young voices be heard. By encouraging self-expression through literature, Abantu Literacy League hopes to contribute to nation building, foster unity and promote Ubuntu. The stories written by these children may very well become the seeds of transformation in Orange Farm.
The competition also presents an opportunity to discover hidden literary gems among Orange Farm’s youth. With access to contacts in the literary world, the organisation is committed to guiding talented writers toward greater opportunities.
To bring this vision to life, Abantu Literacy League invites partnerships, sponsorships and any form of public support to grow the impact of the programme. Participants will write on themes inspired by their own experiences and observations of Orange Farm.
Essay topics are grouped by school grade:
Grades 3–5: What are the best things about Orange Farm? (350 words)
Grades 6–7: What sets Orange Farm apart from other townships? (500 words)
Grades 8–9: Who is your Orange Farm hero and why? (1000 words)
Each learner may enter only once, in one category. Submissions cost R10 and must include the applicant’s full name, contact details, school, ID number, and proof of payment.
Essays can be handwritten or typed, and submitted in person at the Abantu Literacy League office, via WhatsApp, or by email. Proof of payment is required for the entry to be valid.
Applications open on 18 April and close on 10 June. Winners will be announced a week before the official celebration event, where they will be honoured for their efforts.
For more info or to submit your essay, WhatsApp or call 073 678 9856 or email abantuliteracyleague@gmail.com.
