Anmar Brand and Jenika Foster, Grade 11 pupils at Bloemhof Girls High School in Stellenbosch, took first and second place respectively in the 16th annual South African Development Community (SADC) Secondary School Essay Competition.
The topic for this year’s competition was “The role of the private sector in developing industries and regional value chains”, which was derived from the 37th Ordinary SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government which is “Partnering with the private sector in developing industry and regional value chains”.
Entrants had to “discuss how partnerships with the private sector can promote industrial growth and foster development of value chains in key priority sectors (such as agriculture, mining, health etc.) among SADC member states”.
Bloemhof principal, Wilna van Heerden says: “We are grateful that our pupils make use of excellent opportunities such as this to better themselves.
“The educators and I encourage them to apply the knowledge and critical thinking skills which are an integral part of their education at Bloemhof.”
Western Cape MEC for Education, Debbie Schäfer, also offered her congratulations to the winners: “My hearty congratulations go to all pupils who took part.
“I am proud of your achievements.”
The three national winning essays are forwarded to the SADC secretariat for consideration in the regional competition.
The prize money for the competition is $1 000, allocated by the SADC secretariat, and first prize is $500, second prize is $300 and third prize is $200, paid to the winners in the rand equivalent.
