For late former President Nelson Mandela, whose name is synonymous with the international struggle for human rights, education is the most powerful weapon for changing the world.
It is also important for telling the story of South Africa, in all its rich complexity. This is why storytellers such as Ayanda Ngunda (16) should have the space to do what they do best.
From Witsand she recently won the sixth Ahmed Kathrada National Essay Writing Competition and was crowned the national winner with the title “Fear of difference”.
The Robinvale High School learner said she was encouraged by her mother’s friend Ruby to take part in the competition, for whenever she encountered her at home she was always reading.
“I like to read, especially about South Africa, because it improves my knowledge and also helps me understand things in my country, Zimbabwe, better,” she told Weskus Nuus. “I always got my inspiration from authors who told their stories and from Ruby who motivated me. I also want to encourage other children who read my essay also to tell their own stories of what they go through during their childhood.”
The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation’s Annual National Essay Writing Competition aims to foster critical thinking, promote awareness and ignite discussions on racism.
Ayanda described life in South Africa as hard, as it is in Zimbabwe.
“Running in the evenings and then reading books written by survivors keeps me off the streets. In my home country I was not lucky enough to have the best reading school programme. I need to have enough time to read and write so one day I can become a poet.
“Thanks to my mother who helped shape my thoughts about reading, it has always been my passion. Here I can escape and wander in my mind, hoping one day I will be free from the land of horror in which I live.”
She said reading allowed her to escape from trauma going on around her. “Although I’m afraid of my future world, changes in my new country make it possible for me to hope for the future. A new life, like a leaf under the morning frost waiting to unfold; in the warmth of the embrace of my new country.”
The grade 10 leaner was stunned to receive the call saying she was one of the top three candidates eligible for the National Essay Writing Competition and to look out for an email announcing the winner.
“When I opened my email and saw the announcement that I am the winner, I was speechless and emotional,” Ayanda said.
“My sincere thanks go to Robinvale High School, my mother and her friend who supported me during the competition. The principal, Mr Vaughan Murray, and the teachers are excellent.”
After matric Ayanda hopes to study literature at a university and be the writer she dreams of becoming.
