Unleashing the Creative Potential of Cape Town’s Youth: A Riveting Writing Competition

The City of Cape Town recently hosted a thrilling writing competition for young learners aged nine to 17. The competition aimed to inspire the young learners to craft a story about a hero fighting for the environment. The winners were recognized at the Open Book Festival and were given the opportunity to feature in an online production and have their stories published or added to the Library Service’s Libby app. The competition’s success proved the untapped potential resting within the young learners and put the spotlight on libraries as crucial knowledge hubs in the community.

Unleashing the Creative Potential of Cape Town’s Youth: A Riveting Writing Competition

The City’s Library and Information Service hosted a writing competition in Cape Town for young learners aged nine to 13 and 14 to 17. The competition aimed to inspire the young learners to weave a story about a hero fighting for the environment. The winners were recognized at the Open Book Festival held at the Homecoming Centre and were given the opportunity to feature in an online production and have their stories published or added to the Library Service’s Libby app.

In the pulsating hub of Cape Town, a stimulating writing competition was recently hosted by the City’s Library and Information Service. It was specifically designed for young learners, divided into two age groups of nine to 13, and 14 to 17 years. The competition brought forth a striking display of raw creativity and unbounded imagination from the city’s young population, with a staggering total of 131 narratives submitted. This extraordinary event reached its climax on 28 August 2024, when the winners were recognized at the Open Book Festival held at the Homecoming Centre.

The Journey to Becoming an Environmental Champion

The competition presented a singular stage for the young intellects to exhibit their innovative abilities and writing expertise. Their mission was daunting yet thrilling – to weave a story about a hero fighting for the environment. The participants had complete freedom in choosing their narrative style, whether it was a short or lengthy story, a comic book, an illustrated book, or even a novel. To help the learners sharpen their writing talents, specialized workshops were arranged in a variety of libraries.

A Celebration of Cultural Diversity and Linguistic Richness

The competition was open to stories in English, Afrikaans, and isiXhosa, reflecting the rich cultural diversity and linguistic variety of the region. The winners, revealed amidst eager anticipation and enthusiasm, truly represented the essence of the competition.

In the 9-13 age group, the English language victors were Isabella Ismail from Wynberg Library and runner-up, Lethabo Nhlapho. The Afrikaans language was skillfully dominated by Skyler Plaatjies from Strand Library, with Elmone Tromp from Huguenot Square Library as the runner-up. Uzuko Zenani from Moses Mabhida Library proved victorious in the isiXhosa category, with Alinda Zonke as the runner-up.

Recognizing Young Literary Talents and Artistic Skills

The 14-18 age group had its share of budding literary talents too. The English language champions were Cadence Marinus from Ocean View Library and runner-up, Latita Matyhila from Langa Library. The isiXhosa category victor was Sinalo Taho from Harare Library, with runner-up Lilitha Macamba from Nyanga Library. Regrettably, this age group had no entries in the Afrikaans category.

This competition also underscored the influential role of illustrations and graphic sketches in effective storytelling. The submissions were visually so captivating that the City’s Libraries and Information Service felt compelled to acknowledge the creative component for exceptional artwork. This led to Jordan Tiltman from Fish Hoek Library and Luhle Mayeki from the Moses Mabhida Library being honored for their remarkable creativity.

A Promising Future for the Winning Entries

There’s more in store for the winners. They will get to feature in an online production in collaboration with Dream City author, Mzwamadoda Mvimbeli. This will provide them with an opportunity to breathe life into their stories by reading and performing them. Moreover, the winning entries will either be published or added to the Library Service’s Libby app. The winning stories of the 9-13 age group will be incorporated into the upcoming Library Reading program set to launch in December.

The competition’s success proved the untapped potential resting within the young learners. The quality of submitted stories pleasantly surprised the City’s Library and Information Service and stirred an unprecedented level of excitement among the participants. Undeniably, this competition has put the spotlight on libraries as crucial knowledge hubs in the community, frequented and treasured by community members. The words of Councillor Patricia van der Ross, Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, beautifully sum up this event as not merely a contest, but a motivational tool for inspiring young writers.

What was the purpose of the writing competition?

The writing competition was designed to inspire young learners aged nine to 17 to craft a story about a hero fighting for the environment. The competition aimed to unleash the creative potential of Cape Town’s youth.

How many narratives were submitted for the competition?

A total of 131 narratives were submitted for the competition, showcasing the raw creativity and imagination of Cape Town’s young population.

What languages were stories accepted in for the competition?

The competition was open to stories in English, Afrikaans, and isiXhosa, reflecting the rich cultural diversity and linguistic variety of the region.

Who were the winners of the competition?

The winners of the competition were recognized at the Open Book Festival held at the Homecoming Centre. The winners included Isabella Ismail, Skyler Plaatjies, Uzuko Zenani, Cadence Marinus, Latita Matyhila, Sinalo Taho, and Lilitha Macamba.

Will the winning entries be published or featured elsewhere?

The winning entries will either be published or added to the Library Service’s Libby app and featured in an online production in collaboration with Dream City author, Mzwamadoda Mvimbeli.

What was the impact of the competition on the community?

The competition’s success proved the untapped potential resting within the young learners and put the spotlight on libraries as crucial knowledge hubs in the community. It served as a motivational tool for inspiring young writers and showcased the importance of libraries as frequented and treasured community resources.