High schools interested in entering their pupils for the Masithethe! isiXhosa Oratory Competition, have until the end of February to submit their entries.
The competition was first hosted by Paul Roos Gymnasium (PRG) at the school premises on Saturday May 14 last year, and has now been established as an annual event.
The hosting of the competition is made possible by ENSafrica (the official sponsor of PRG Forum). “This ground-breaking competition was initiated by ENSafrica – the proud supporter of PRG Forum – a platform for learners interested in the art of the spoken word,” the school said in a statement.
The school says the main aim of the competition is to promote speaking of isiXhosa among pupils and to provide a public platform for them to do so. “It is the vision of PRG Forum to promote multi-language use in South Africa.
“It does so by facilitating the Masithethe! isiXhosa Oratory Competition, encouraging learners to speak isiXhosa and providing a platform for them to do so in public.”
In last year’s competition, 87 pupils from seven schools across the Cape participated. Educators from these participating schools were the judges, while the final rounds were judged by University of Stellenbosch academics, Dr Simthembile Xeketwana and Dr Zameka Sijadu.
The competition logo, was impressively designed by Likhona Makiwane, a Grade 9, Rhenish Girls’ High School pupil. Likhona’s design was selected as the official logo for the competition.
It’s the first time she tried her hand at designing a logo, she tells Bolander and was actually hesitant to submit her design, but she is good at art and took a chance. “I was very surprised because at first I didn’t want to participate in designing the logo because it was the first time doing Xhosa in grade 8.”
The idea for the graphics was sparked by the name of the competition. “Because the theme of the logo was Masithethe (“let’s talk”), I thought of drawing people looking at each other communicating.”
Her intention is for the logo to be representative of how good communication builds good relationships. The other design elements included all form part of capturing the essence of isiXhosa and also being symbolic of a positive future on the horizon.
“I’ve decided to let the people I drew in the logo wear Xhosa traditional hats and beads. The pattern I drew behind them was the sun shining, demonstrating a brighter future,” the young talented pupil explains in more detail.
Entries for the competition are now open and will close on Tuesday February 28. The competition will take place on Sunday April 2.
Those interested in entering the competion, can send emails to Christine Canaris from PRG, at ccanaris@paulroos.co.za
