Dricky Beukes, Herman Charles Bosman, Breyten Breytenbach, Rolfes Robert Reginald Dhlomo, Ruth First, Athol Fugard, Nadine Gordimer, Keorapetse Kgositsile, James McClure, Sibusiso Nyembezi, Wilbur Smith, Olive Schreiner and Stephen Watson.

These individuals have used their talent for writing to tell the captivating, sometimes tragic, always colourful, South African story.

But as a ‘world in one country’, more stories can and should be told.

The Skryf Net writing competition has been established to encourage young South Africans to do just that — and to do so in their own words and language.

Open to primary school learners, aged between 6 and 13 years, Skryf Net will encourage aspirant writers to put pen to paper and relate their stories in one of either Afrikaans, English, Sotho, or Zulu.

The stories, short or long, will be read and assessed by qualified adjudicators and will be broadcast widely so that they can be read/heard by as many citizens as possible.

Competition organisers are seeking the assistance of individuals equipped to judge the essays, as well as read the winning entries in a broadcast setting.

Skryf Net is particularly keen to receive applications from current or past teachers, postgraduate language students and authors.

All judges will be volunteers and will not be paid, but will become active participants in inspiring a new generation of published writers.

Those interested should contact Owen Msimango at omsimango@hotmail.com