SADC: 2024 Southern African Development Community Tertiary Institution Essay Competition
Bursary Description
2024 SADC Tertiary Institution Essay Competition is now open!
The Secretariat of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) is calling for submission of essay entries from active tertiary institution-going learners.
The topic of this year’s competition is “What in your opinion has SADC achieved since its formation; and does it reflect the vision of its founders?”. The wordings of the think piece and content should aim at promoting the role played by the Founders of SADC taking into account the prevailing peace and security which contributes to the SADC’s Objectives and Common Agenda.
The topic is guided by the decisions taken by Council of Ministers in August 2020 and March 2021, which directed the SADC Secretariat to operationalize the initiative to recognize and honour the roles played by the SADC Founders.
The initiative, as approved by the SADC Council, is aimed at providing due recognition to the Founders of SADC for their contribution to the establishment of SADC and subsequent pursuance of a regional integration agenda. The wordings of the think piece and content should aim at promoting the role played by the Founders of SADC taking into account the prevailing peace and security which contributes to the SADC’s Objectives and Common Agenda.
Deadlines
29 February 2024
Instructions
The essay should be:
- 4000 words;
- Typed and submitted in both hard copies and electronic version in Microsoft Word document format;
- Written in one of the SADC working languages, i.e. English, Portuguese and/or French;
- Accompanied by a SADC Tertiary Institution Essay Competition Entry Form which should contain
- full contact details of the entrant;
- passport-sized photograph;
- physical address;
- telephone;
- copy of national Identification card;
- copy of valid Student National Identification Card;
- fax number and email address; and
- contact details of the entrant.
- Submitted by 29th February 2024.
Note: Entrants should sign and initial each page of the hard copy document to make sure that they have not been altered.
Marking Guidelines:
In answering the research question, entrants should ensure that they address the sub – questions listed below in their essays:
- Present a brief summary of some of the significant accomplishments that the SADC has accumulated as an
organization in terms of peace, human development, infrastructure and climate change, since its inception
(1000 words, 25 points); - What social and economic policies can SADC adopt or enforce to improve the livelihoods of its citizens? (1000 words, 25 points);
- List and elaborate two key milestones you believe would uphold the ideals of the Founding Fathers for the benefit of future generations (1000 words, 25 points);
- How can SADC preserve the vision and posterity of SADC Founders for closer economic integration and political stability (1000 words, 25 points)?
Competition rules and guidelines
- The competition is open to all active tertiary institution-going learners from all 16 Southern African Development Community (SADC) Member States;
- The entrants’ work should not have been published/broadcast by a registered and/or authorized broadcast company, newspaper, blogs, radio station, television station or agency or carried on an online of a registered and/or authorized agency in any of the SADC Member States;
- This competition is open to all registered tertiary school learners with a valid student ID, and only one submission will be accepted per writer;
- All essays entering the competition should be in one of the SADC working languages, i.e. English, Portuguese and/or French. However, the writer can use some inserts in any national indigenous language of the SADC Region, but provide translation in the glossary;
- The tone/composition of the essay must be reflective of the SADC region; and relates to the people and culture of inhabitants of the region;
- Entries from lecturers/ tutors and employees of tertiary schools will not be accepted and shall not be entered for adjudication.
What the competition offers
The winning entry will receive a once off prize money which will cover the outright payment of the Intellectual Property Rights of the essay.
The winners will be awarded prizes as follows;
- 1st prize will receive a prize money of USD2000;
- 2nd Prize is USD1500;
- while 3rd Prize will be USD1000; and
- the top 10 winners will receive certificates signed by the Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security.
Please note: The prize will be paid directly to the winner in his/her home country through the Secretariat.
Application process
Applicants from South Africa must submit their completed application forms via email at
The Department of Education and Training
International Scholarships
Private Bag X174
Pretoria
0001
OR hand delivered at
Department of Higher Education and Training
123 Francis Baard Street
Pretoria
0002
Announcement of the winners will be done through the SADC website (www.sadc.int) including its social media handlers on 17th August 2024.
Contact
All queries should be forwarded to
Documents and links
Southern African Development Community Website
English Entry Form – SADC Tertiary Institution Essay
English Marking Guidelines – Tertiary Schools Essay Competition topic 2024
English Brochure – TERTIARY INSTUTION COMPETITION 2024
Note
Please note that this opportunity is not offered by the Department of Higher Education and Training. Applicants are required to undertake their own research into programmes and institutions and are responsible for ensuring that the qualifications will be recognised in South Africa by contacting the South African Qualifications Authority and the relevant professional bodies. If there are any discrepancies in the details provided, the information given by the sponsor supersedes the details provided above. No additional financial support will be provided by the Department of Higher Education and Training.
