Learners who entered the competition had to write a story about an environmental hero, either as a short or long-form story, graphic novel, picture book or novel. Writing workshops were held at numerous libraries to assist learners to acquiring writing skills. Stories were submitted in English, Afrikaans and isiXhosa.
The popular writing competition received 131 entries from 33 libraries.
The following winners in categories are;
Age category 9-13
English
Winner: Isabella Ismail (11 years), Wynberg Library
Runner up: Lethabo Nhlapho (12 years), Wynberg Library
Afrikaans
Winner: Skyler Plaatjies (10 years), Strand Library
Runner up: Elmone Tromp (11 years), Huguenot Square Library
IsiXhosa
Winner: Uzuko Zenani (10 years), Moses Mabhida Library
Runner up: Alinda Zonke (12 years), Moses Mabhida Library
Age category14 – 18
English
Winner: Cadence Marinus (14 years ), Ocean View Library
Runner up: Latita Matyhila (17 years), Langa Library
IsiXhosa
Winner: Sinalo Taho (17 years), Harare Library
Runner up: Lilitha Macamba (15 years), Nyanga Library
The Afrikaans category received no entries
The competition received so many entries that had beautiful illustrations and graphic sketches that the City’s Libraries and Information Service decided to extend the certificates to include a creative component for outstanding artwork to Jordan Tiltman ( 13 years) from Fish Hoek Library and Luhle Mayeki (12 years) from the Moses Mabhida Library
In partnership with the Dream City author, Mzwamadoda Mvimbeli, the brand new authors will get a chance to appear in an online production, reading and acting their own stories.
The winning submissions will either be published, or loaded onto the Library Service’s Libby app. The winning stories for the 9 -13 year old categories will be used for the Library Reading programme that will be rolled out in December.
‘We are pleasantly surprised by the number of entries, the excitement and the quality of the stories submitted by the learners. The success of the writing competition is a shining example that our libraries are well visited and plays and important role as a knowledge centre in our communities. I would like to congratulate all those who participated and especially the winners in the various categories. I hope that the competition will be a motivation for aspiring young writers to enter writing competitions,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia van der Ross.
