Read competition open to young creatives
JOHANNESBURG – Young word worriers must write a captivating story incorporating a colourful character.
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Read Education Trust is calling on young creatives for their annual Read Word Warrior Competition to test their artistic skills.
This competition is a platform to promote literacy, reading and the art of creative writing among young South Africans.
Entrants, or aspiring ‘word warriors’, are required to write a fictional story that incorporates a colourful Detective WW Inkomba (Inkomba means ‘clue’ in Zulu and Xhosa). Young writers must produce a fun, fact-finding (FFF) mission that draws readers in and captivates them right up to the very end.
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Lizelle Langford, public relations and fundraising manager at Read Educational Trust, said the competition is open to all school children from the ages of nine to 16.
She said the entry form is filled with tips and questions aimed at getting their creative juices flowing and bringing out the best in the nation’s budding Agatha Christies. “All good detectives must be wondering what’s in it for them. Not only will their work be showcased on the Read website, the winner will receive a R1 000 cash prize, and their school will receive R5 000’s worth of books,” she said.
Last year’s Word Warrior Competition drew a host of interesting entries and Lolo Legoabe from Boskop Primary School was announced as the 2017 Read Word Warrior. The word warriors had to describe their idea of ‘my treasure’, and Langford said Lolo gave a wonderful insight into her family of five – always there for each other, no matter what they face in life.
Langford added that Read encourages children, educators and parents alike to inspire participation in this competition. “This is one of many vehicles we use, to harness that very weapon our patron the late Nelson Mandela was passionate about – education.
“Together we can sharpen the literary skills of South Africa’s future leaders. A noble cause and one that is worthy of supporting every step of the way.”
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Details: Read Educational Trust 087 237 7781.
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