essay writing competitions south africa 2021

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SASLAW Student Essay Writing Competition 2021

The South African Society for Labour Law  invites all students studying labour law in 2021 to enter SASLAW  Essay Writing Competition 2021. For more details, consult the flyer below...

• Legal Essay Writing Competition / Ismail Mahomed Law Reform Essay Competition Archive

SALRC Legal Essay Writing Competition Archive

2024 South African Law Reform Commission Legal Essay Competition

South African Law Reform Commission (SALRC) is engaging young legal minds in generating innovative ideas on issues of law reform. The competition aims to honour a range of South African legal achievers who have dedicated their lives to the advancement of our constitutional democracy.

Follow these links to:

• The 2024 South African Law Reform Commission Legal Essay Competition

2023 South African Law Reform Commission Legal Essay Competition

• The 2023 South African Law Reform Commission Legal Essay Competition

2021 South African Law Reform Commission Legal Essay Competition

The South African Law Reform Commission (SALRC) is engaging young legal minds in generating innovative ideas on issues of law reform. As from 2018, the Competition is dedicated to the memory of the late Chief Justice Pius Nkonzo Langa who served South Africa with dignity and distinction.

• The 2021 South African Law Reform Commission Legal Essay Competition

2020 South African Law Reform Commission Legal Essay Competition

• The 2020 South African Law Reform Commission Legal Essay Competition

2019 South African Law Reform Commission Legal Essay Competition

The South African Law Reform Commission (SALRC) is engaging young legal minds in generating innovative ideas on issues of law reform. As from 2019, the Competition is dedicated to the memory of the late Chief Justice Pius Nkonzo Langa who served South Africa with dignity and distinction.

• view the pictures of the SALRC Legal Essay Writing Competition Award Ceremony , 6 Sep 2019
• read more about the 2019 South African Law Reform Commission Legal Essay Competition .

2018 South African Law Reform Commission Legal Essay Competition

The South African Law Reform Commission (SALRC) is engaging young legal minds in generating innovative ideas on issues of law reform. Guided by the wish to honour a range of South African legal achievers, the SALRC is relaunching the legal essay writing competition originally named in honour of the first Chief Justice of the democratic era, Justice Ismail Mahomed.

From 2018, the renamed South African Law Reform Legal Writing Competition will celebrate the contributions of legal luminaries who have dedicated their lives to the advancement of our constitutional democracy.

The 2018 season is dedicated to the memory of the late Chief Justice Pius Nkonzo Langa who served South Africa with dignity and distinction.

Law Reform Competition Winners Book: https://old.juta.co.za/uploads/Law_Reform_Commission_Essays/mobile/index.html

Writer’s Unblock Guide to Legal Essay Writing: https://old.juta.co.za/uploads/Writers_Unblock_2019/mobile/index.html

Donald Kubayi

The College of Law congratulates Donald Kubayi, who was a runner-up in the South African Law Reform Commission’s (SALRC’s) Justice Pius Langa legal essay-writing competition for 2021.

The virtual awards ceremony was held on 28 January 2022 . The title of his essay is “ Public Policy a Catalyst for Silencing Financial Crime and Corruption: A Case for the Deployment of Digital IDs on Social Media Platforms”. Kubayi, who holds a Bachelor of Laws from Unisa, is currently studying towards his coursework master’s in intellectual property law at the university . He further holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental and Geographical Science from the University of Cape Town, and a diploma in Creative Multimedia from the National Electronic Media Institute of South Africa.

In his essay, Kubayi argues that criminals increasingly use social media for the recruitment of victims, clients and service providers. They also use social media to solicit donations that are normally channelled through the financial system. His essay makes a case for public policy as a catalyst for the take-up of digital identity technologies by social media companies and highlights some digital ID networks in the public and private sectors that shed light on the potential of digital ID tools for facilitating collaboration and winning the war on financial crime and corruption.

Born in the village of Mzilela in Giyani Town in Limpopo, Kubayi is the second-born of a second wife in a polygamous household with 13 children. He currently works at the University of Pretoria’s Sector Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Support Programme. He is also Deputy Director of Infrastructure Support at the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). His directorate is responsible for the administration of the DHET’s capital grants for infrastructure development at South African public universities.

Kubayi wants to be an academic, because the academic space will allow him to pursue his research passion. He commented on his career prospects by saying: “When I decided to enrol for a law degree in 2011, my goal was to become a legal practitioner. I have a burning desire to carve out an academic career and write law articles on intellectual property.”

Commenting on his runner-up placement at the essay-writing competition, Kubayi says that being a finalist for such a prestigious award is a great honour. “I still cannot believe that my essay was worthy of the spirit of the late Chief Justice Pius Langa, who served this nation with dignity and distinction,” he says.

“My advice for law students who aspire to win academic competitions,” concludes Kubayi, “is, firstly, to develop your academic writing and legal research skills, for they are crucial for a successful legal career. Secondly, always participate in extra-curricular activities.”

* By Ngwako Mokgotho, Communications and Marketing Specialist, College of Law

Publish date: 2022/03/01

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• AFRICA Top10
• BUSINESS & MONEY

Global Essay Competition Opens For SA Students

• December 8, 2021 December 8, 2021

Registrations for the Harvard Crimson Global Essay Competition have opened up for South African students. The competition offers an opportunity for ambitious high school students, between the ages of 13 and 18, to showcase their passion for writing on a global stage. The winner will bank a $1 000 cash prize, together with a number of other prizes.

“The competition gives young South Africans a chance to demonstrate the depth of their critical thinking skills, creative ideas and written communication. For local students, competing at an international level is a great way to explore your passions, use your strengths, and elevate your impact and achievement – whether you’re applying to a top university abroad, or one closer to home,” says Rebecca Pretorius, Country Manager at global mentorship company Crimson Education, who have partnered with The Harvard Crimson, Harvard University’s student newspaper, to run the competition.

To enter, students need to register on the Harvard Crimson Global Essay Competition website ( www.essaycomp.org ) and submit their 500-word creative or argumentative essay by 30 January 2022. In addition to the cash prize, the winner will receive an additional $1 000 towards a Crimson Education mentorship and an exclusive Harvard Crimson internship, to help kickstart their writing career. The top eight essays will be published on the official Harvard Crimson Essay Competition website for readers across the globe to read and enjoy.

Out of more than 2 500 global submissions received last year, South African student Hiewon Ahn, placed third overall; “Since the competition is hosted completely online, we’re able to break down geographical barriers and provide students from all over the world with access to explore and develop their writing interests. Global competitions are the perfect stepping stone to develop real-world experience and network with international peers,” says Pretorius.

Additionally, all participants will be invited to attend global webinars and workshops, hosted by top writing professionals. “Beyond the competition itself, our aim is to equip the writers of the future with the skills needed to succeed in the long-term by connecting them with world-class writers, screen-writers, journalists and more,” says Pretorius.

“With final exams wrapping up, the end-of-year holiday is a valuable time for students to develop their extracurricular and personal profiles. With school commitments on hold, students can use this time to gain experience, build expertise, and grow their knowledge. This competition is an opportunity to participate in a fun and creative activity that allows ambitious young South Africans to shine at an international level,” says Pretorius.

Students can take advantage of the early bird registration, which will cost R114 until 15 December. Regular registration, which runs from 16 December until 19 January, will cost R228. Schools wanting to enter full English classes or groups of students will pay a R75 registration fee per student. To find out more or to register for the competition, visit  www.essaycomp.org . Schools wanting to enter student groups can reach out to  [email protected] .

Through a team mentorship model, Crimson connects learners with admission strategists and tutors to assist them with the complex application process for top universities abroad. For more information, visit  www.crimsoneducation.org/za .

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Student Essay Competition 2021/2022

Did you write your LLB or LLM dissertation on an environmental law topic? Are you writing your doctorate on an environmental law topic?

Why not have your research and writing skills assessed and recognized by some of south africa’s top environmental law practitioners and academics.

The ELA wishes to support and promote new voices in the field and environment law, and has been running this fantastic essay competition since 2018.

Our 2021/2022 essay competition is open to any student who is currently enrolled at a South African higher education institution (including undergraduate and postgraduate programs) or who completed his/her/their studies in 2021, and whose research concerns an environmental law topic.

Entries close on 31 May 2022. 

Ensure that you have complied with all of the competition rules:  click here for the competition rules and terms and conditions.

Winners will be announced at the end of our 2022 student conference (details TBD).

Date 31 May 2022

Time 5:00 pm

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John Rantlo (LLB, LLM, LLD) is a lecturer at the University of Pretoria, and Director of the Extractive Industries Law in Africa Unit at the University of Pretoria. He holds an LLB from the National University of Lesotho, an LLM in Environmental Law and Governance from the North-West University (NWU), and LLD from NWU. He is an admitted Advocate of the High Court of Lesotho. During his LLD studies, John served as a temporary lecturer at NWU, wherein he lectured on Administrative Law, Fundamental Rights, and Administrative Law in Law Enforcement (Policing Practice), Environmental Law and Statutory Interpretation.  John’s scholarship is devoted to environmental impact assessments, climate change law, and local government law.

Jenny is an Associate Professor in international environmental law and legal skills at the University of Johannesburg. Before joining the University in 2018 she consulted for many years to a range of sectors. During this time she drafted several pieces of legislation for government including the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, 2004 and the National Environmental Management: Waste Act, 2008. Jenny has also been intimately involved in a number of policy and strategy processes including being the project manager and lead drafter of the National Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Strategy, 2014 for the Department of Environmental Affairs. Jenny hold BA (UCT) LLB (UCT) LLM (UNISA) and PhD (UCT) degrees. The title of her PhD thesis is The impact of judicial control on the public administration of the environment: 1995 to 2007.

Tahir is a pupil advocate at the National Bar Council of South Africa (NBCSA). He has been training and practicing in advocacy since February 2023, after completing his LLB degree and articles at three reputable law firms. Tahir has a special interest and expertise in human rights and constitutional law.

Margot holds a LL.M in International Human Rights Law (Maastricht University, Netherlands); a Postgraduate Diploma in Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies (PLAAS, University of the Western Cape) and a LL.M in Environmental Law (University of Cape Town). Margot’s passion is Earth Jurisprudence and Environmental Justice and she is currently volunteering for the Australian Earth Laws Alliance as well. Margot started volunteering for the ELA after presenting at the ELA Annual Student Conference in 2018.

Nicolene Renske Steyn is a post-doctoral fellow at the South African Research Chair: Cities, Law and Environmental Sustainability (CLES) where she researches the linkages between sustainability law, climate resilient development and technological advancements in the South African urban context. She obtained both her Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and Master of Laws (LLM) degrees with distinction from the North-West University. Her PhD in Law and Development concerned the realisation of the constitutional water right in South African cities through intelligent water management technologies, and she completed this research at CLES and the North-West University. Nicolene’s research interests include Environmental Law, Water Law, Climate Change and Resilience, Human Rights, Socio-Economic Rights, International Humanitarian Law, Technology and Innovation.

Qualifications

• BSc (Rhodes University)
• LLB (Rhodes University)

Areas of Practice and Specialisation

• Commercial & Property Litigation
• Environmental Law & Planning
• Administrative Law
• Insurance Litigation
• Professional Indemnity
• Liability Claims
• Medical Malpractice
• Fidelity Guarantee claims

Patrick graduated from Rhodes University with a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Laws degree in 2004 and has completed his coursework towards a Master’s degree in Environmental Law at the University of KwaZulu Natal. Patrick joined Garlicke & Bousfield to serve his articles and, after being admitted as an attorney, he joined the Litigation Department as an Associate. Patrick was appointed as a Director in 2016 and specialises in insurance, property and environmental litigation. Patrick is a member of the Executive Committee of the Environmental Law Association of South Africa.

Samantha is a practicing environmental attorney and Partner at Ndlovu de Villiers Attorneys (Environmental Law Specialists). Samantha graduated from Rhodes University with a Bachelor of Arts (environmental science and law) and Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree in 2012.  Samantha was admitted as an attorney in 2015 and in 2018, she and her Managing Partner, Sibonelo Ndlovu, started Ndlovu de Villiers Attorneys. Samantha  is best known for her experience and expertise in the Protected Areas sector.  In the past few years, Samantha has been recognised for her work in protected areas, and recently featured in the 18 th Edition of the Mail & Guardian’s Top 200 Young South Africans. When she is not working, Samantha can be found exploring the outdoors with her husband and two kids .

Melanie Murcott is an Associate Professor at the Institute of Marine and Environmental Law, University of Cape Town. Previously she taught and engaged in research on environmental law and administrative law at the University of Pretoria. She holds an LLB cum laude from the University of Cape Town, an LLM cum laude (Masters in Administrative Law and Constitutional Law) from the University of Pretoria, and an LLD (Doctor of Laws in Constitutional Law) from North-West University. Her research focus is currently climate law and governance (in comparative perspective). Melanie is the author of ‘Transformative Environmental Constitutionalism’ (Brill, 2022), a book that explains the intersections among social, environmental and climate (in)justice in a time of planetary emergency, and how the courts in South Africa (and beyond) can contribute to developing law that is more suited to responding to injustice in this context.

Viandrie Robertson is an LLM researcher with the South African Research Chair: Cities, Law and Environmental Sustainability at the North West University, Potchefstroom. She is originally from a farm in the Knysna area and completed high school at Outeniqua High School in George. In 2018 she moved on to study undergraduate degrees at the Nelson Mandela University in Gqeberha. She started with the 3-year Bcom (LLB) and completed the additional 2-year LLB degree graduating in April 2023. She joined the ELA in 2023, along with starting her postgraduate degree at the North West University. Her LLM dissertation centres around the biodiversity importance of the Knysna Estuary and the obligation of the municipality to contribute to the protection thereof. Her current fields of interest are environmental law, local government law, and constitutional law.

Henrike Saunders is an LLM Researcher with the South African Research Chair in Cities, Law and Environmental Sustainability at the North-West University. Henrike completed her BA in Law (2019) and LLB (2021) at the North-West University and is currently a scholarship holder with the Konrad-Adenauer Stiftung. Her research focuses on drought risk management in urban areas and considers the role of local government in mitigating the impact of drought disasters on communities and the environment. Her focus areas include drought risk management, environmental law, water law and local government.

Mikaella Bodeux is an attorney admitted to the High Court of South Africa and practising in Johannesburg. Mikaella holds a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Laws from Rhodes University, Makhanda. She also holds a Master’s in Public International Law which she obtained from Utrecht University, the Netherlands, in 2022 with a specialization in oceans, sustainability and the environment. Mikaella is currently employed at Warburton Attorneys Inc where she assists in various environmental and sustainability-related matters.

Nonhlanhla Ngcobo (BA Law, LLB, LLM cum laude) is a Doctor of Philosophy in Laws with Law and Development (PhD) candidate and researcher for the South African Research Chair in Cities, Law and Environmental Sustainability (CLES). Her research focuses on (local) party politics and their influence on environmental governance in pursuit of the constitutional environmental right in South Africa. Some of her research interests also include law and informality, particularly the informal economy for local economic development as a sector-specific issue of local government. Nonhlanhla is a published scholar in peer-reviewed academic journals and blogs, including The Conversation, South Africa. Nonhlanhla has contributed to several research-intense projects on the local government legal framework and municipal governing tools for the South African Cities Network (SACN) and the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung.

Kirstin holds a LLB and LLM in Environmental Law from the University of Cape Town which she obtained in 2018 and 2020, respectively. She has experience in environmental management, biodiversity conservation and climate change adaptation.  Kirstin’s career began at the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) where she assisted SANBI’s Biodiversity Information and Policy Advice Division with making inputs into draft environmental policies and laws regarding biodiversity stewardship, protected area expansion and spatial biodiversity planning.  She has since completed her articles at Richard Summers Inc., a Cape Town based law firm specialising in environmental law, land use planning law and heritage law.  Kirstin currently works as a Senior Programme Officer in SANBI’s Adaptation Policy and Resourcing Division, where one of her core functions is to contribute to national policy and legislative reform regarding climate change and ecosystem-based adaptation.

Meeschka is a PhD Researcher at the SARChI in Cities, Law and Environmental Sustainability, the North-West University. She completed her LLM and LLB at the North-West University, and is a former Konrad-Adenauer Stiftung Scholarship Holder. Meeschka’s research interests include water law, local government law, environmental law, municipal finance management, public health, environmental health, and disaster risk management.

Melandri Steenkamp recently completed her LLD under the auspices of the South African Research Chair in Cities, Law and Environmental Sustainability (CLES) based at the North-West University. She obtained both her LLB and LLM in Environmental Law and Governance from the North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus. Her scholarship focuses on exploring perspectives related to urban law and governance, as well as examining the intersection between local government, environmental, climate change, and water laws.

Isabella Potenza is completing her undergraduate degree in Law and Geography at the University of the Witwatersrand, with the intention to begin her LLB in 2022. She is part of the Climate Justice Charter Movement and has experience in managing youth initiatives. She hopes to extend the reach of the ELA to the youth. In her legal career, she hopes to contribute to environmental law-making, with a focus on bringing social justice and public participation to the fore.

Ntando Ncamane is a lecturer in the Faculty of Law at University of the Free State at the Bloemfontein Campus, where he lectures Labour Law for both undergraduate and postgraduate and supervises LLM students. He also lectures Internet and Electronic Law as well as Consumer Law. He holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree, and a Master of Laws (LLM) degree from the University of Fort Hare (UFH) and a Practical Legal Certificate (PLT) from the School of Legal Practice. He is currently enrolled for a Doctor of Laws degree (LLD) with the North West University (NWU) focusing on mineral rights, customary rights, and environmental rights.

Bella is a lecturer at the University of the Free State (UFS). She is a specialist in mining law. She holds a Bproc, LLB, LLM, Certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution (cum laude)

Vicki has been working as an independent environmental consultant for over 28 years, during this time, she has undertaken or project managed over 300 environmental projects. She ran the Durban office of WSP for 13 years and reviewed every technical document produced in the office during this time. She set up MEC in 2006 and now undertakes predominantly review, management systems, training, facilitation, auditing and advisory work, calling on her many years experience in the field. She has successfully compiled and carries out training courses in Sustainability, EIA and EIA review for various bodies. She has completed her Masters in Environmental Law at the University of Natal, the research for which has provided her with a great insight into the legislative situation within the environmental profession.

Tendai is an environmental attorney at Webber Wentzel where he advises public and private sector clients on various environmental law matters including waste management, air quality, water rights, climate change, carbon tax, renewable energy and mining. He also provides strategic environmental legal support in respect of domestic and cross border mergers and acquisitions, listings and related transactions.

His expertise also includes dispute resolution involving the initiation and defending of administrative appeals as well as environmental litigation. He holds an LLB and LLM in Environmental & Sustainable Development Law from Wits University.

Anél du Plessis is Professor of Law and the South African Research Chair in Cities, Law and Environmental Sustainability. Her scholarship focuses on the nexus area of environmental-, local government and different aspects of human rights law, climate change law, sustainability and city governance. She is editor of the first extensive volume on South African environmental and local government law (Juta, 2015) and co-editor of “The Globalisation of Urban Governance” (Routledge, 2019). She is a rated researcher of the South African National Research Foundation (NRF), served as an elected member of the South African Young Academy of Science and is an alumnus of the scholarship programmes of the DAAD, Fulbright and Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. She is also a member of the Teaching and Capacity Building Committee of the IUCN Academy of Environmental Law.

Adie is the owner of AdiEnvironmental cc (founded in 1999), based in eMalahleni (Witbank). She specialises in the coordination and compilation of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), which includes the coordination of the public participation process and overall project management. Adie holds an M. Sc (Botany) from the University of Port Elizabeth and is a trained ecologist. She is registered as a Professional Natural Scientist (botanist and ecological scientist) and is also a Registered Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP) with 21 years of experience as an environmental consultant. Prior to being a consultant, Adie worked for the Mpumalanga provincial environmental department and assisted with the implementation of the first set of EIA Regulations.

Kate currently works as a Consultant Attorney for the specialist environmental law firm Cullinan & Associates. Kate was admitted as an attorney of the High Court in 2014. She commenced her career practicing in the fields of insolvency law and general commercial litigation, deciding to complete her LLM in Environmental Law while working for another specialist environmental law firm between 2014 and 2015. Kate also holds a BSocSci from Rhodes University and an LLB from the University of Cape Town. She advises a range of public and private sector clients on various environmental law related issues, and has been a member of the ELA Executive Committee since 2016. When she is not working, she can be found exploring the mountains and oceans of the Western Cape.

Ademola Oluborode Jegede is a Professor of Law in the Department of Public and International Law, University of Venda, and holds degrees from Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Ibadan and the Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria. He has been a research visitor to the Centre for International Environmental Law, USA and Human Rights Institute at Abo Akademi (Finland). He is a member of the IUCN Academy and Commission of Environmental Law. His research focuses on the interface of climate change and biodiversity with human rights of vulnerable groups and general international human rights law.

Peter Kantor is an Advocate of the High Court of South Africa practising in Cape Town. He specialised in environmental law in the 1990’s when he was a partner in a law firm handling labour and constitutional law matters. Peter is currently an executive trustee of the Cape Town Heritage Trust.

Germarié Viljoen (LLB, LLM, LLD) has previously consulted as environmental legal specialist. In 2014, Germarié joined the North West University (Faculty of Law) as legal scholar. She lectures, publishes and provides post-graduate supervision in the fields of constitutional, property and water law. Germarié is heading a research project entitled “Environmental Change” within the Faculty of Law and she serves as Assistant Editor of the Potchefstroom Electronic Law Journal (PELJ). She is an alumnus of various international scholarships, which include the research and capacity building initiative of SANPAD (South Africa – Netherlands research Programme on Alternatives in Development); TraProBio; and a Global Water Partnership scholarship to undergo training on aspects of International Water Law at the University of Dundee, Scotland.

John Rantlo is currently enrolled for LLD at the North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus (NWU). He obtained his LLB at the National University of Lesotho in 2012. He was then admitted as an Advocate of the High Court of Lesotho in 2013 and practised as such for some time. John obtained his LLM in Environmental Law and Governance at the NWU Potchefstroom Campus in 2015. His LLM dissertation focused on environmental impact assessment legislation of Lesotho, Eswatini and South Africa. From 2017 to date, John has served as an academic assistant at the Faculty of Law at NWU. Additionally, he also served as a temporary lecturer for Administrative Law, Fundamental Rights and Administrative Law in Law Enforcement (Policing Practice).

Willemien du Plessis is a Professor at the Faculty of Law of the North-West University (Potchefstroom) and holds postgraduate degrees in law and environmental management. Willemien is the Director of Research and steers the Research Unit at her Faculty. She has extensively published in the area of environment and development law for many years. She has similarly been involved in various international, regional and domestic research projects involving development and environmental law. She teaches environmental law (undergraduate and postgraduate), and has been working on issues of energy law for some time. Willemien has served on the Secretariat of the ELA since 2006, is a Law Commissioner of the World Conservation Union (IUCN) and a member of the IUCN Academy of Environmental Law. She has been Chairperson of the Research Committee of the Academy since 2009.

Tanya is a full-time lecturer in the Faculty of Law at Nelson Mandela University in Port Elizabeth where she lectures Environmental Law, Intellectual Property Law, and Commercial Law. She holds an Honours degree in Human Movement Science (BA (HMS) Hons), a Bachelor of Law (LLB) degree, and a Master of Laws (LLB) degree from the University of Port Elizabeth and Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, respectively. She is currently completing her LLD focusing on the intellectual property consequences of marine bioprospecting.

Professor Michael Kidd lectures in various aspects of Environmental law such as Pollution Control Law, Natural Resources Law, Land Use and Planning Law, International Environmental Law and Ocean and Coastal Law. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) degree, a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree, a Master of Laws (LLM) and a PhD from the University of Natal. Kidd’s research interests include Environmental Law, Water Law and Administrative Law and he has published extensively in these fields.

Clive Vinti is an evangelist at Heal the Wounds Christian Centre; Lecturer for Law at the University of the Free State (UFS), Programme Coordinator of the Postgraduate Module in Environmental law and Human Rights at the UFS Centre for Human Rights and also a PhD Candidate, at the Witwatersrand University. At UFS, Clive is responsible for teaching environmental law at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Clive’s research focuses on environmental law and international trade law and the concomitant issues that arise therein. Clive is also a member of the National Freedom Network and the Young African Leaders Initiative.

Stewart Green is a Divisional Head for Legal Compliance at the City of Ekurhuleni (Gauteng), where he leads a team of Environmental Management Inspectors responsible for monitoring and enforcing environmental compliance in one of the most industrialised municipalities in Africa. Previously, he was the national co-ordinator for Section 30 of NEMA (environmental emergency incidents) at the DEA in Pretoria. He has worked for all three spheres of government and credits local government as being the most challenging of the three. He holds an MSc from Natal (UKZN) and an MPhil in environmental law from UCT.

FunDza is helping to nurture and grow South Africa’s writing talent.

#LoveWriting

FunDza runs regular writing challenges and competitions, providing aspirant writers with a particular writing topic and format. They can submit their writing on https://live.fundza.mobi.

Mentorship programme

Our mentorship programme pairs promising writers with experienced writing mentors to write a ‘FunDza story’. We are proud to have mentors such as Sifiso Mzobe and Masha Du Toit, who have mentored young writers such as Njabulo Goba and Yonela Gatyeni, who have become part of our professional stable.

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We've got news for you., fundza writing competitions discover new talent, enter the ‘my father’ essay writing competition for 13 to 30 year olds.

FunDza Literacy Trust, a non-profit organisation that gets teens and young adults reading and writing for pleasure, is running an essay competition called “My Father”. Entrants between the ages of 13 and 30 are invited to write a 450-550 word essay about their personal experiences. This can be about their own father, a father figure, or what it’s like being a father, or even living without a father.

This is one of a number of writing competitions that FunDza has hosted since it started in 2011. 

Enter the My Father Essay Writing competition for 13 to 30 year olds

“Writing competitions are a great way to find new and exciting talent for our growing online library,” says Mignon Hardie, executive director of FunDza. “Our fundza.mobi platform receives about 15,000 daily readers, and so we are continuously looking for new content to keep them hooked and reading.

“We identified many young, talented writers that we have gone on to mentor into writing for our platform professionally, and we’re hoping that this latest competition will unearth even more new voices ready for exposure to our growing readership.”

In 2018, FunDza ran an essay competition where entrants had to describe “My Home, My Hood”. This competition elicited many powerful pieces of writing describing different neighbourhoods from all over the country.

The experience was one of the most educational experiences I’d had since I started writing

One of the winners of that competition was Njabulo Goba from Durban, KZN, with his searing piece of work “We never make it to the news”. When informed about his win, he said, “It feels great, I didn’t expect to win so I didn’t plan for this money, but I’m pretty sure I won’t spend it wisely, and that’s OK with me!” 

FunDza partnered him with award-winning writer Sifiso Mzobe, a regular FunDza contributor, to mentor Goba through the process of writing a full-length FunDza story. Goba’s first story, “Killer Twin” is an action-packed crime drama set in Hammarsdale, which includes some spicy dialogue.

Goba says: “The experience was one of the most educational experiences I’ve had since I started writing. I’ve done several writing courses before, but the mentorship gave me the experience of professionals believing in me. It wasn’t a competition, it wasn’t a course, it was ‘Hey, we know you can do this, so do it’. And I can never express my gratitude enough.”

And, of Mzobe, he says, “He’s a genius, we could really take over and be known as the ‘crime boys’.” (Some of Mzobe’s FunDza stories are also gritty crime dramas.) 

Mzobe says: “Njabulo has wanted the opportunity to write for a long time. He’s prepared to do the hard work to fulfil his dream.”

Once the stories are published on FunDza’s mobi site , readers can comment and like them. There are hundreds of comments on Goba’s story, including: “Very entertaining, well written and I completely love it” and “The only thing that is wrong with this story is that it ends”.

Read Njabulo’s stories here >>>

For a 2020 FunDza writing competition, entrants had to write an essay about an “Aha moment” — an event that marked a shift in their perspective, thinking or learning. There were some excellent entries. One of the winning entries was from Lungile Manyathi for her essay, “The Weight of the Crown”. In it she describes a moment when she was looking in the mirror, wishing she had long, straight hair like magazine models, and her mother came in. They had a conversation that transformed her envy into pride in her own natural hair. 

“I wrote with the idea of letting people know that it’s OK to be unique and own your own spotlight,” she said. “Winning simply confirmed that the message was valuable.” 

Manyathi then joined FunDza’s mentorship programme and has become one of FunDza’s professional writers. She has written two short stories, both exploring the issue of gender-based violence.

Winning simply confirmed that the message was valuable

She found the experience of being published exciting, particularly because of the immediate feedback that the fundza.mobi platform offers: “Having my story published was surreal. Honestly, I hardly expected the feedback it received from the readers, their reactions and comments were inspiring. If I could, I would relive the experience a thousand times.”

Manyathi has subsequently also written for FunDza’s Mindspace column — a series of articles on a range of thought-provoking topics.

Read Lungile’s work here >>>

There have been many more young writers who have been supported by FunDza in their writing journey. Want to follow in their footsteps?

Get writing — and find out how you can enter the “My Father” competition here .

The competition closes on June 30 2021.

This article was paid for by FunDza Literacy Trust.

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South African Schools' Debating Board

Home of SA Schools Debating

Writing Competition

The Social Justice Writing Competition is the result of a partnership between young people, the South African Schools Debating Board and the the Centre For Sexualities AIDS and Gender (CSA&G) at the University of Pretoria- through its Just Leaders student volunteer programme.

The competition is an essay writing competition and is open to all grade 8-11 learners in South Africa. The top entries are selected and published in a book through the CSA&G. The first leg of this competition was hosted in Gauteng.

Reflection on the 2019 Project

Acknowledgements

This whole project would not have been possible without the significant effort and contributions from the following people and organisations:

Bettina Buabeng-Baidoo and the SA Schools Debating Board (SASDB) initiated this project and ensured that it was successful – it would not have happened without her.

Pierre Brouard and his organisation, the Centre for Sexualities, AIDS and Gender (CSA&G) at the University of Pretoria, worked closely with Bettina to take this project through its various stages.

Bettina and Pierre also edited the stories and assisted the learners to polish them.

Tumelo “Duke” Rasebopye of the CSA&G took this project under the wing of the Just Leaders project he manages at the CSA&G and he assisted with developing and implementing the Social Justice workshop which the school learners attended as a requirement of entering the essay writing competition. The Just Leaders project is funded by the Norway-based Students and Academics International Assistance Fund (SAIH) and their generous financial assistance helped make this project possible.

Volunteers of the SASDB (Khutso Mhlaba, Ethienne Smith) and Board Members Tlou Matshidiso, Rimbilana Shingange, Irene Mpofu and Richard Chemaly) helped out on the day of the Social Justice workshop, especially with logistics; and volunteers from the CSA&G’s Just Leaders project (Boitumelo Nokeri, Chigo Mabila, Mohau Nei, Onkaetse Khupari) helped to organise and run the workshop, leading sessions with the learners, modelling advocacy and leadership.

Crawford College Pretoria generously hosted the workshop for the learners and Yvonne Ready offered support and oversight from Crawford’s perspective on that day, we thank them for this.

Last but not least, Johan Maritz designed, laid out and formatted the booklet and helped us to achieve an excellent product.

2019 Book Abstract

When final year medical student Bettina Buabeng-Baidoo approached the C entre for Sexualities, AIDS and Gender (CSA&G) at the University of Pretoria (UP) , in her role as Fundraising Officer in the South African Schools Debating Board (SASDB) , to collaborate on a social justice writing competition for high school learners, we were very excited.

The South African Schools Debating Board is a non-profit organisation which facilitates World School Style debating in the nation. The SASDB believes that debating and public discourse are pivotal tools in creating a more tolerant and equal society.

The CSA&G runs a social justice project for students at UP , Just Leaders , and we have learned that the energy, enthusiasm and sense of justice in young people is infectious, and critical to a functioning society based on freedom of speech, fairness and dignity, determined to redress the imbalances of the past.

This volunteer programme, funded by the Students and Academics International Assistance Fund (SAIH) , aims to build an inclusive UP, one which recognises that differences around class, ability, socio-economic status, gender, sexuality and race still matter in who arrives at, and succeeds in, the University. The #FeesMustFall movement was an earthquake for the tertiary sector, in its aftermath there is still much work to be done.

This social justice writing competition was Bettina’s brainchild; building on her work with the SASDB where she coaches young people in debating skills. This marriage of her interests and the CSA&G’s ethos has been a happy one. Together we developed

a call for schools in Gauteng to send teams of Grade 10 – 12 learners, accompanied by their debating teacher, to a one-day workshop on social justice. The workshop was hosted with the generosity of Crawford College in Pretoria and we especially single out Yvonne Reddy for her support for the day.

Run by volunteers of the Just Leaders programme, the workshop explored human rights and social justice in South Africa, and then homed in on themes of race, inequality, HIV, sexualities and gender as exemplars of work that still needs to be done in South Africa to realise the dream of an equal and fair society.

Participants in this workshop were then invited to write and submit an essay which had social justice as its theme. While they were encouraged to write on the themes of the workshop, any essay which explored justice in post-Apartheid South Africa was eligible. We selected the most promising essays, provided feedback for re-writes and revisions where necessary, and helped to polish them lightly so that they shine. We did not select winners or runners up for this exercise, but chose to showcase a cross section of stories instead: the entries appear in no particular order.

It is important to note that we obtained full consent from the essay writers and their parents/guardians for these stories to be published.

This consent was important because we discovered that the learners did not hold back! HIV diagnoses, rape, gender, violence, questionings around sexual orientation and gender identity, provocations around race (did it still matter today- definitely said one writer, it shouldn’t said another) and questions of privilege and culpability come up in these stories. There is a rawness to some of them and while they don’t reflect the views of the CSA&G , the SASDB , or the schools from which the learners are drawn, we are also passionate in our defence of their right to have their say. These are their views, their stories and we are proud of them. We hope you will be too.

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SADC Secondary School Essay Competition winners announced

Secondary school learners from all 16 Southern African Development Community (SADC) Member States participated in the 22nd edition of the 2021 Secondary School Essay Competition in their respective countries. Each candidate receives the equivalent of the prize money in South African Rands. The SADC Secretariat has allocated a sum of US $1000 as prize money for the national winners of the competition in each Member State as follows: US $500 for the first prize; US $300 for the second prize; and US $200 for the third prize winner.

The top three winners of the national South African leg of the 2021 South African Development Community (SADC) were recently announced. In first place was Mr Mbuyelo Light Dzumeri from Nghonyama Secondary School in the Limpopo Province; in second place was Ms Jordan-Sarah Langenhoven from Leap Maths and Science School in the Western Cape Province; and in third place was Ms Emmie Mogadime, Matshumane Secondary School, also in the Limpopo Province. Ms Mogadime also came 8th in the regional leg of the Competition.

“There were several factors that motivated me to enter the competition. I was also keen to know as much as possible about the SADC Region, its achievements and challenges. Our History teacher, Mr P.E. Sedutla, explained to us what the essay competition entailed and encouraged us to take part. He also facilitated access to the Internet using the school Wi-Fi. I learned that the SADC Region had many challenges. Regional economic integration is hampered by mismanagement, corruption and lack of political will. I also learned that economic migrants flocked to South Africa because of poor economic conditions and human rights violations in their countries. The Competition enhanced my knowledge about current affairs in the region and on the continent. Participation may open doors of opportunities as it has financial incentives. In addition, it has taught me self-confidence and I have learned that determination, diligence, focus and commitment are required for one to succeed in life. I have acquired many skills: research; interview; writing; and reading skills.  I'll spend my winnings by spoiling myself, saving some money so that I can purchase essentials for my studies. I'm currently studying LLB at the North-West University. The Competition has taught me that everything is possible.”  – Mr Mbuyelo Light Dzumeri

“I was introduced to the Competition by my English teacher, Miss Sam da Silva. I was familiar with the SADC as an organisation, after reading The African Union: Autocracy, Diplomacy and Peacebuilding in Africa, edited by Timothy Murithi and Tony Karbo. I learned about how strong the relationship between African countries was in the past, and that it took a collaborative African effort to obtain independence for many member states, and that the fight for peace in Africa is an ongoing one. I learned about how the past shapes the present, and how sexism and gender inequality is a constant throughout pre- and post-colonial Africa, and that independence and liberation neglected the role and needs of African women. I am going to allocate the reward money towards my tertiary studies. I am currently enrolled for a programme in Environment and Development at Stellenbosch University. What drew me to this programme was that the core disciplines include Geography and the Environment, Social Anthropology, Public and Development Management and Environmental Economics. I am interested in resource management for the future, and especially human-nature relationships for steady progress towards sustainable living. The Competition has taught me that I should never doubt my own ability; this lesson is something that I want to apply throughout my tertiary career, to alleviate any feelings of imposter syndrome. I definitely adopted the habit of scheduled writing.” – Ms Jordan-Sarah Langenhoven

“I wasn’t sure if I wanted to be part of the competition. So, when I told my cousin about the competition, he told me that the prize is a life changing opportunity. That’s when I decided to give it a go. Our former English teacher, Ms Matlala, was the one who introduced the competition to us. The competition itself has allowed me to think outside the box. The topic has allowed me to learn more about Southern African countries and that their determination to overcome poverty and to helping their fellow citizens to rise above mutual challenges at all costs. We do not know if we are going to make it, but we do it anyway. We all know the consequences of failure, but we’d rather take the risk, because we know there’s a chance we can prosper. I will use the money to buy myself a new smartphone and I will be pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Senior Phase education at Wits University. I learned that I am a strong and brave girl. Taking part in the competition was not easy, especially if you are a matriculant and lacking resources. I had to keep up with my competitors and my schoolwork simultaneously. As for the skills, I have learnt how to handle pressure, multitasking and delivering on time as these were my challenges before the Competition”. – Ms Emmie Mogadime

The SADC Competition was established in 1996 to encourage learners in the Region to understand and advocate the SADC’s role in support of equality, freedom, social justice, peace and security. The topic for the 2021 SADC Secondary School Essay Competition was: How has SADC contributed to peace and security of the region in the last 40 years and how can SADC consolidate peace going forward? Congratulations to the winners on behalf of the DBE.   

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Call for Submissions: 2023 UJ Prize for South African Writing

by Chukwuebuka Ibeh

November 22, 2022

Submissions are currently open for The University of Johannesburg (UJ) Prize for South African Writing.

The prize, which was established in 2006, is awarded to South African writers regardless of whether they have connection with the university or not. Previous winners include Mandla Langa, Jacob Dlamini, Rešoketšwe Manenzhe, Gabeba Baderoon, and Zakes Mda, among others.

The UJ Prize is open to books published in English language in any genre. It is awarded in two categories: the Main Prize and the Debut Prize, with a cash renumeration of R75 000 and R35 000 respectively.

Note: Publishers must specify which prize they are entering for.

Deadline: January 31, 2023.

Only books published in 2022 (January 1 to December 31, 2022) may be entered. The shortlist will be announced no later than August 31, 2023.

How to Submit:

Publishers are required to submit seven (7) copies of each title that they want to enter for the award. Publishers who wish to submit entries for the UJ prize for works published in 2022 should send all submissions to the address below by courier:

Ms Dikeledi Seranyane, University of Johannesburg, English Department, B-Ring 713, Kingsway Road, Auckland Park, Johannesburg, Tel. 011-5592063

For media enquiries and more information, please contact the UJ Prize coordinator, Dr Siphiwo Mahala via email .

• University of Johannesburg Prize

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Essay Competition

The CASA Essay competition (formerly the B.X. de Wet Essay) is held under the auspices of Akroterion : Journal of the Classics in South Africa , housed in the Department of Ancient Studies, University of Stellenbosch.

The intention of the competition is to encourage promising undergraduate and Honours students in Africa to pursue their interest in Classics. Essays on any aspect of Greek or Latin language or literature, or classical history or civilization may be submitted. The idea is that students should submit work done as part of their courses, but they may of course write specifically for the competition if they choose. Lecturers are kindly requested to bear this competition in mind when they consider that their students have submitted essays of suitable quality and encourage these students to submit their work for consideration.

The essays are judged by a panel consisting of three South African scholars. The final editing and preparation of the essay for publication are done by the student under supervision of the lecturer under whose aegis the essay was written and the members of the Akroterion Editorial Committee.

Application

The competition is open to undergraduates every year and to Honours students in even-numbered years only. In 2024 the competition is therefore open to Honours students as well as undergraduates. Where possible, the institution should submit essays to the panel on their students’ behalf. Not more than two essays per institution will normally be accepted. Only one essay per candidate may be submitted per year; a prize winner may not compete in subsequent years of the competition.

Students from any university in Africa may submit entries. Essays may be in English or Afrikaans, and should not exceed 3 500 words in length (exceptions will only be made if space is available and if the quality of the work warrants this).

Essays submitted for the competition need not conform to the guidelines set out in the ‘ Notes for Contributors ‘ in Akroterion , but the author of the winning essay should be prepared to edit it, if so requested. Work must be typed and submitted electronically. The winning entry will be published in Akroterion . In addition, the winner will receive a cash prize. The prize and the cost of publishing the essay are both sponsored by The Classical Association of South Africa.

Previous winners

2022: Dylan Potter (UNISA), ‘”My African Dream”: Assessing the possibilities for an Augustan revolution in the ailing democracies of Africa’

2021: Thomas Stranex (University of Cape Town), ‘Is it correct to say that reason triumphs in Sophocles’ Ajax ?’

2020: Nikola Bruni  (UNISA) “The Professional Greek Mercenary in Saite Egypt”

2019: Adam Butler  (Rhodes University), ‘ Mimesis as poetic tool and metapoetic comment in Ovid.’

2018: Deborah Stein (University of Stellenbosch), ‘The heart of the poet in the heart of his poem (Catullus & Ariadne)’

2017: Nina-Mari Grobler  (University of Pretoria), ‘Diagnosing Vergil’s Dido: a psychological perspective.’

2016: Helen Lenahan (Rhodes University), “Mighty hunters of mankind”: The influence and subversion of the Classical hero in Milton’s Satan.’

2015: Emily van der Merwe  (University of Stellenbosch), ‘Horace: The misunderstood lover?’

2014: Christian Bronkhorst (University of Cape Town), ‘Self-satire in the Cena Trimalchionis .’

2013: Ursula Westwood (University of Cape Town), ‘Domitian’s attitude to Jews and Judaism.’

2012: Claude F Heyman (University of South Africa), ‘Opposition to same-sex marriage in the early Empire.’

2011: Christian Straeulie (University of Pretoria), ‘Why did the Thebans defeat the normally militarily superior Spartans at the Battle of Leuctra?’

2010: Natasje van der Westhuizen (University of Stellenbosch), ‘ Hoi neoteroi : Everyman’s verse or supercilious snobbery.’

2009: Sonja Gammage (University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban), ‘Herodotus and language.’

2008: Donatella du Plessis (University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban), ‘A comparative study of the Dido-Aeneas episode in Virgil’s Aeneid and Christopher Marlowe’s Dido, Queene of Carthage .

2007: Hamish Williams (University of Cape Town), ‘Cicero Pro Caelio : What was it that most undermined Clodia’s case — her character, the prejudices of Roman men, the skills of Cicero, or . . . ‘

2006: M Graf (University of Stellenbosch), ‘Euripides se Medea .’

2005: I Scheepers (University of South Africa), ‘Fate and divine working in Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex .’

2004: K S Pendlebury (Rhodes University), ‘The refinements on the Parthenon.’

2003: B S Green (University of Stellenbosch), ‘ IsiXhoza nostra : A comparison of the Roman and the Xhosa law of marriage.’

2002: A de Kock (University of Stellenbosch), ‘Die herder en die wolf: ‘n vergelyking tussen die karakters van Aeneas en Turnus.’

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My Writing Journey Competition

The My Writing Journey writing competition is free to enter and open to writers from around the world.

Write us a 600-word piece on the theme:  The best writing tip I’ve ever received.

We’ll publish the best piece in our newsletter and on our blog – plus the winner receives $200 (R2 000 or £100).

CLOSING DATES: 31 January 2021, 31 May 2021, 30 September 2021

Send your story to: [email protected] .

Download our Free e-Book

Here’s an anthology of the 22 best prize-winning essays from our ‘My Writing Journey’ Competition over the past decade. The anthology offers 100 pages of timeless writing advice and heartfelt personal stories from talented writers from around the world.

Edited by our graduate copy-editing student Emma Hager, cover design by Andrea Vanek, and type-setting by Koos Turenhout, this e-book makes a perfect gift. Whether it’s for you, or for your writer friends, download your free copy today.

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Continental Essay Competition

11th Continental Essay Competition for the year 2023/2024

Theme: “ Empowering Consumers through Standardisation to achieve their rights to safe Quality Goods & Services “

University and College Students under the age of 35 years eligible to participate

10th Continental Essay Competition for the year 2022/2023 Theme: “The role of standardisation in promoting the growth of Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) for sustainable, inclusive and diversified industrial and economic development in Africa” University and College Students under the age of 35 years eligible to participate

Essay Competition Winners 2022/2023

9th Continental Essay Competition for the year 2021/2022 Theme – “The Role of Standardisation in Promoting African Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Industries to Attain Self-reliance and resilience in Combating COVID-19 and Future Pandemics” University and College Students under the age of 35 years eligible to participate

Essay Competition Winners 2021/2022

Essay Competition Winners 2020/2021

Essay Competition Winners 2019/2020

African students essay

Apply for essay competitions for african students.

Below is a list of essays to apply to.

Africa Organization for Standardization (ARSO) Continental Essay Competition 2023

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KAS/Atomic Reporters Essay Contest 2021: A Neglected Story The Legacy of Splitting the Atom

Multilateral Dialogue KAS and Atomic Reporters: A Neglected Story The Legacy of Splitting the Atom Essay call for applications. Application Deadline: 31st August 2021 About The Legacy of Splitting the Atom Essay Contest: Konrad-Adenauer-Foundation Multilateral Dialogue Vienna and Atomic Reporters are cordially inviting you to apply to join our first study programme 2021-2022 “A Neglected … Read more

UONGOZI Leadership Essay Contest 2020 for African Students (USD$2000 Prize Money)

African citizens between the age of 18-25 are invited to submit an essay for this year’s Leadership Essay Contest organised by the Institute of African Leadership for Sustainable Development (UONGOZI Institute). Application Deadline: 10th July 2020 at 17:00 hours (EAT). Eligible Countries: African countries To be taken at (country): Online About the Award: UONGOZI Institute is pleased … Read more

Tana Forum University Essay Competition 2020 for African Students

Now in its sixth year, the Tana Forum annual essay competition is aimed at obtaining views from the youth on various peace and security challenges faced across the continent.  Application Deadline: 31st January 2020 11:59 pm EST. Eligible Countries: African countries To be taken at (country): Ethiopia About the Award: The Tana Forum Annual Essay Competition is aimed … Read more

EU Delegation to Uganda Funded Traineeship 2019 for Young Ugandan Graduates

Are you a young graduate interested in international relations? Are you curious to learn more about work in a diplomatic mission and how an EU Delegation represents EU interests and values in Uganda? Application Deadline: 15th June 2019 Eligible Countries: Uganda Type: Internship Eligibility:  Mandatory requirements: Very good command of spoken and written English; Highly motivated, willing to learn … Read more

Many Languages, One World® Student Essay Contest 2017

 ELS and the United Nations Academic Impact are pleased to sponsor the fourth Many Languages, One World® Student Essay Contest and Global Youth Forum.  Application Deadline: 16th March, 2017. 11:59 p.m. EST Thursday, Offered annually? Yes Eligible Countries: All About the Award: This year welcomes Northeastern University as the host of the Many Languages, One World Global Youth Forum and … Read more

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