1. Following the success launch of the national essay competition for secondary schools in all Member States, culminating in a regional competition, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat has announced the 9th Secondary School Essay Competition.
2. The Department of Education once again requests WCED to participate in this competition by conducting a selection of two essays for this year's competition.
3. The 2007 competition is taking place against the backdrop of over 40% of the regions' population living in abject poverty. The SADC Regional Strategic Developmental Plan (RISDP) was adopted as the regions' roadmap to development and integration, including the fight against poverty.
4. The topic is therefore as follows: "What do you think are causes of poverty in the SADC region and what steps should be taken by Member States and non-state actors to eliminate poverty".
5. The SADC Secretariat has allocated the sum of US $1000 as prize money for the winners of the competition in each Member State. The amounts allocated are as follows:

  • US $ 500 for the first prize

  • US $ 300 for the second prize

  • US $ 200 for the third prize
6. The three winners from each of the SADC Member States will then compete at the regional level. A panel of judges will be assembled at the SADC headquarters to select the regional winners. Prizes for the regional winners will be as follows:

  • US $ 1500 for the first prize

  • US $ 1000 for the second prize

  • US $ 750 for the third prize
7. In addition, the three regional winners would travel to Lusaka, Zambia around August/September 2007 to receive their prizes during the official opening ceremony of the SADC Heads of State and Government Summit, where the winners of the first prize may be required to read excerpts from the essay at the opening ceremony. A Special Commendation Certificate plus a SADC Souvenir will be sent through the National Contact Person to students that finish in the top ten in the regional competition.
8. Students are expected to briefly focus on the history of the organisation including its aims and objectives. They are also expected to focus on the causes of poverty in the SADC region and what steps should be taken to eliminate poverty. Students should clearly suggest concrete actions to be taken by the people and governments of SADC to address poverty.
9. The length of this essay should be between 2000 and 2500 words. The essays must be written in English. Learners are encouraged to submit clear hand written, or typed essays. All essays should be clearly marked with the name of the learner, school and country.
10. The essays should be forwarded, not later than 30 March 2007 for final provincial selection to: 
Mrs Phumla Satyo
Senior Curriculum Planner: English
Western Cape Education Department
Room 838 
Cape Town
Tel.: 021 467 2579
Fax:  021 467 2258
Email: psatyo@pgwc.gov.za
11. It would be appreciated if this matter could receive your immediate attention.


SIGNED: J.P. RAULT-SMITH
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2007:02:06