The annual competition is organised jointly by the Grahamstown Foundation and the South African Council for English Education.
Grade 10 to 12 learners are encouraged to participate in a unique competition aimed at testing their skills in the English language.
The theme is ‘A journey into darkness: Excerpts from stories exploring the darker side of human nature’.
Cash prizes of R32 000 can be won for first place, R29 500 for the runner-up and R27 000 for third place.
The top 10 candidates, who write the first additional language examination paper in 2016, can win cash and book prizes.
In addition, the top 15 candidates will receive invitations to attend the National Schools Festival and the prize-giving ceremony in Grahamstown, in July 2016.
The top 50 candidates will be offered free tuition scholarships for their first year of any course of study at Rhodes University immediately upon the successful completion of their matriculation examination, subject to their meeting the university’s entry requirements.
The competition, which takes place on March 1, 2016, is designed to enrich learners through the study of English and to appreciate the nuanced subtleties of superbly honed texts.
Learners will write a three-hour, open-book examination at their respective schools, which is based on an anthology entitled ‘The Darkness in Man’s Heart’ that contains excerpts from five books linked to the Olympiad theme.
The excerpts are from ‘This book betrays my brother’ by South African writer Kagiso Lesego Molope; ‘The turn of the screw’, by Henry James; ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ by Oscar Wilde; ‘Frankenstein’, by Mary Shelley and Joseph Conrad’s ‘Heart of Darkness’.
Candidates will receive the prescribed anthology in November, giving them ample time to read the excerpts over the December holidays.
They should then be fully prepared to participate in seminars and discussions over a seven-week period during the first term.
Entries close on September 9 for the early birds at R120 while late entries close on October 30 at R130.
Entry forms are available on www.saenglisholympiad.org.za.
There are a limited number of partial bursaries for students who cannot afford the entry fees.
Bursaries will be awarded on a first come, first served basis, and will be based on the commitment of learners to writing the exam in previous years.
The closing date for bursary applications is September 9.
For more information contact Jane Grindley on 046 603 1107/45 or email olympiad@foundation.org.za.
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