Do you have a passion for writing and want to test drive your writing skills? Pen down your knowledge and perception about current issues affecting our world today, through a selection of topics that might tickle your interest.

Brain Waves Development is hosting its first Essay writing competition as part of introducing their literacy division to students.

Who may enter?

Learners from township, rural and under-resourced areas in Grades 5 – 12

Topics to select from:

Group A: Grades 5 -7

1) What is climate change and what do people need to know about it?

2) Do you think it’s true that robots will replace humans in the workplace?

3) What exactly is the coronavirus and what myths or perceptions do people in your community have about the virus?

4) Do you think the media is doing enough to promote locally-produced products in South Africa?

5) Why do you think it is important to learn how to grow a vegetable garden at home? Share your tips.

Group B: Grades 8-10

1) How do you think the Covid-19 pandemic and the global recovery from it will affect the future of sustainable development?

2) What lessons are we learning now about climate change that will accelerate our efforts to mitigate carbon emission?

3) Dead Batteries Deserve a Second Life: Batteries should be recycled so that the valuable minerals contained in these batteries (including cobalt and lithium) can stay in the economy. Why is this important for the economy?

4) Hunger levels have been rising for the past five years. Almost 690 million people go to bed hungry every night. COVID-19 could push 130 million more people into hunger by the end of 2020 unless action is taken. Why do food production and agriculture matter?

5) How can big businesses support local businesses in our communities?

Group C: Grades 11 – 12

1) Why is gender equality critical for achieving sustainable development?

2) The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented global shock that amplifies the corrosive impact of inequality, hitting the poorest and those without social safety nets the hardest. How has Covid-19 impacted the quality of life in your community?

3) Do you think learners should be taught about climate change at school and how will knowledge about climate change the way we function in our everyday lives?

4) Which technologies do you think may influence people’s mental health? How?

Competition rules and guidelines

• The essay can only be written in the following languages; English, isiZulu, isiXhosa, Sepedi, or Afrikaans.
• Completed essays should be between 600-1200 words in length.
• Essays should be uploaded onto the link below
• Candidates should provide their full name, name of their school, their grade, email address, and contact number
• Essays should NOT contain any politically related content or bashing of the government.
• Candidates should submit their essays in Word (Docs.) format.
• If you wish to add an image to your essay, you may do so. In this case, it is important to state the source of the attached image.
• Entrants who do not abide by all the rules may be disqualified.
• The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into

Deadline: 30 October 2020

Once you have completed your essay, click on the link below to submit

http://bit.ly/brainwavesessay

Wondering what prizes you stand a chance to win?

1^st Prize winners in each group

• R1000 cash prize
• Goodie bag to the value of R600
• One-week writing workshop
• Essay published in a magazine
• The essay featured on Brain Waves and Ranyaka’s social media platforms and online publication

2^nd Prize winners in each group

• R500 cash prize
• Goodie bag to the value of R600
• The essay featured on our social media platforms and online publication

3^rd Prize winners in each group

• R250 cash prize
• Goodie bag
• The essay featured on all Brain Waves and Ranyaka’s social media platforms and online publication