Update
GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - During an unprecedented year, young learners of Graaff-Reinet and surrounding communities managed to stay hopeful, which they showcased in the Samara Private Game Reserve's recent poetry and story competition.
The theme of the competition was "hope in difficult times," and aimed to inspire hope in rural Karoo communities, with food vouchers as prizes.
Dozens of heartfelt and moving entries were received, in English, Afrikaans and isiXhosa. The difficult task of choosing winners fell to Banks Gwaxula, founder of Ubuntu Pathways in Port Elizabeth, and Lin Gubb, a former English teacher at Kingswood College.
Ultimately, the winners were Aviwe Qoza and Sylandré Sparrius (17 and over category), Whaldene Reed (12-16 category) and Bareon Jafta (under 12 category).
"We received some really wonderful entries from some talented local writers," said Kim Budge, one of the competition's organisers. "We were especially impressed by Aviwe Qoza, who used video and imagery to accompany his entry. He had the judges in tears, we were so moved by his work."
The winners of the competition were announced at a prizegiving ceremony hosted at the Alexander Laing Hall in Kroonvale on 4 November. The event was attended by Gwaxula, community members, Samara staff and Saki Sogcwe, a talented poet who works at Ubuntu Pathways and runs a poetry group in Port Elizabeth.
Camdeboo Spar Spar sponsored food vouchers worth R10 000, with each of the category winners receiving R1 000. This prize was shared between runners-up and other entrants who put heart into the competition.
In addition, the Kolisi Foundation, founded by Springbok Siya Kolisi and his entrepreneur wife Rachel, together with Ubuntu Pathways, all participants received a food hamper worth R2 000.
"We were so pleased with the outcome of this competition and hope to expand it to Port Elizabeth and perhaps even further, in the years to come," Budge concluded. "It is so rewarding to see such talent – we hope that these aspiring writers can be nurtured by exploring collaborations with writing and poetry groups in the surrounding areas."
Youngsters from Graaff-Reinet and surrounding communities participated in a writing competition hosted by Samara. The theme was "hope in difficult times," and the learners did not disappoint.
Bareon Jaftha, under-12 category winner
Tyd het ons gewys
Nou staan ons met die bewys
Moeilik was die begin
Maar, met 'n masker het ons oorwin
Elke dag die hande was
Elke asem, dit het ons gepas
Sommige het ons gegroet
Maar, die herinnering vir ons so soet
Ons is sterk
Want ons doen die werk
Saam het ons gestaan
Onse mense, volk en taal
Baie het ons verloor
Maar meer het ons gegain
Al die liefde het nie verdwyn
Hoop in moeilike tye sal nooit nooit kwyn
Whaldene Reed, winner of age 12-16 category
Hope? Do you say?
Nay! Nay!
Faith! Yes!
Faith is hope put into action
Times are bad and
That's so sad
but faith and hope go hand -in-hand
to save every town, every land
With God on our side
It's like a joyride
Yes! He is hope, He is courage
Write this on every page
Hope never fails
Where hope prevails There is a solution
That is my conclusion
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