Schools short story competition

All South African high school pupils are encouraged to take part in the annual Schools Short Story Competition and must submit their entries by February 28.

The competition is held in conjunction with the Time of the Writer International Festival, hosted by the Centre for Creative Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

The competition aims to encourage creative expression in young people, as well as functioning as a springboard for future writers.

Committed to nurturing a culture of reading and writing, the competition has wide appeal and continues to grow with each edition of the festival. This is its 23rd year.

As one of the country’s longest-running literature festivals, Time of the Writer brings together some of the world’s best authors, publishers and editors and focuses on providing a platform for talented individuals.

There is a broad range of free daily activities, including an educational and entertaining programme of workshops, reading sessions and panel discussions.

The festival encourages engagement with teachers to help promote literature in the classroom and with interested members of the public.

The Time of the Writer takes place from March 16 to March 21.

The Time of the Writer Festival will feature writers from across the world.

Forgiveness advocate Candice Mama will headline the festival. Mama is the author of Forgiveness Redefined, in which she discusses how she forgave her father’s murderer, Eugene de Kock.

De Kock, an apartheid assassin given the nickname of Prime Evil, was sentenced to 212 years in prison on 89 counts, including six of murder.

One of the people he murdered was Glenack Masilo Mama.

Mama’s work of trauma, forgiveness and reconciliation grabbed the attention of local and international audiences.

The opening night, when all the writers will be introduced, will take place at Ekhaya Multi-Arts Centre in KwaMashu.

Throughout the festival, evening sessions will feature writers in panel discussions at the KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts in Glenwood.

Confirmed writers so far are: Fred Khumalo (South Africa), journalist and award-winning author; Haska Shyyan (Ukraine), writer and poet; Jennifer Makumbi (Uganda), award-winning fiction writer; Keletso Mopai (South Africa), storyteller and short story author; Cynthia Jele (South Africa), award-winning novelist; Rémy Ngamije (Namibia), short story writer, essayist, columnist and poet; Shafinaaz Hassim (South Africa), sociologist and author; and Siphiwo Mahala (South Africa), literary critic and playwright.

• For more information on the festival and schools competition, please go to tow.ukzn.ac.za or contact the Centre for Creative Arts on 031 260 2506/1817 or email Gumedeg3@ukzn.ac.za

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