Kingsmead launches Young Writers’ Competition
MELROSE – Children between the ages of six and 18 are invited to enter.
Kingsmead College invites young writers between the ages of six and 18 to join their Young Writers’ Competition.
Director of marketing at the school Alex Bouche said, “At a time when South Africa’s youth are in a reading crisis, this national writing competition is aimed at motivating and inspiring young people to become writers and readers.”
“According to the 2016 Progress in International Reading Study, eight out of 10 Grade 4 learners cannot read for meaning across all languages in South Africa.”
Bouche said the Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated the situation. Closures of Early Childhood Development centres across South Africa – some temporary and some permanent – will take their toll on learner literacy.
“Crucial to improving learner literacy levels is encouraging a love of reading and writing for enjoyment as well as meaning. Initiatives that focus on literacy will play an increasingly important role in this pursuit.”
Bouche said she cannot wait to see the submissions from budding authors across the country.
The competition encourages aspiring young writers to submit their original short stories based on set topics and word counts per age category.
Curator of the Kingsmead Book Fair Corinne Rosmarin said, “Storytelling is an ancient art, intrinsic to most cultures. By encouraging creative writing, children are given tools to make sense of life and process their experiences.”
Rosmarin said the competition aims to encourage a culture of reading and writing amongst youth.
“The digital world has significantly affected reading levels among children, so we need to redirect their attention and build up the joy of writing and reading. By rewarding the winning entries in each category with cash prizes, book hampers and a mentorship session with a writer and publisher, we hope to inspire a new generation of writers in South Africa.”
Competition judges include authors, publishers and the Exclusive Books GM of marketing Batya Bricker.
Kingsmead will host its 10th annual Book Fair in association with Standard Bank Wealth and Investment and Timberland on May 21. The fair aims to showcase the talents of international and South African authors through book readings, author panels and stimulating workshops and encourage a love of learning and promotion of literacy.
The KBF Young Writers’ Competition closes at midnight on May 16. Entries can be made on www.kingsmead.co.za/bookfair
Enquiries: Email booktreeinfo@gmail.com or abouche@kingsmead.co.za
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