Zimbabwean newspaper to pay school fees for 100 contest winners

By Tererai Karimakwenda
15 November 2006

Good news rarely makes it into the headlines these days. That is why this next story was a joy to pursue. The Zimbabwean newspaper is running a short story writing contest that gives students in Zimbabwe a chance to express themselves about any important thing that has happened in their lives. The original deadline has been extended to December 31, 2006 and 100 lucky primary school children will win school fees for a year.

The paper’s publisher Wilf Mbanga said the idea was inspired by the Women Of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) who took to the streets around the country protesting unaffordable school fees. Entries will be published in The Zimbabwean newspaper and Mbanga assured the school children that their names will be kept confidential. He said: “We have used only first names in some cases because some are worried they might be harassed by the authorities if their story appears in The Zimbabwean.” Students can send in a pen name which will be used instead. The stories will be shipped to the UK where Mbanga said no-one else will see them.

Mbanga said the stories can be about good or bad experiences such as the death of a parent or a happy birthday party. He added: “There is no limit and English, Shona and Ndebele will be accepted.” The school fees will be paid directly to a rural or high-density council, or a government or mission school only. Mbanga said the winning entries will also be published in a book. He is excited about giving all the budding writers a chance to published

This exciting competition is open to all children who will be starting grades 5, 6 or 7 next year (2007). The rules are posted on our website at www.swradioafrica.com

So get your pen and paper ready and let the ideas flow.