With reference to DCF Minute 0025/2009, further information is hereby provided (because of the collapse of the WCED Curriculum Website, which would have provided this information) on the entry requirements, schedule and adjudication arrangements for the above-mentioned competition:
1. Who may enter?
Grade 11 learners who:

  • are currently taking Accounting, Economics and Mathematics and who are excelling (performing at a minimum level of 5 [60%] in at least two of these three subjects);
  • intend pursuing studies in Commerce or Mathematics at a South African tertiary institution;
  • are South African citizens.
2. Important information about the entry requirements:
2.1 All essays must be submitted in English and must be typed;
2.2 The essay title must appear on the first page of the essay;
2.3 The number of words in the essay must also appear on the first page;
2.4 All pages must be numbered;
2.5 The learner's name and that of the school must not appear on the pages of the your essay. These details must appear only on the entry form;
2.6 The essay, excluding the bibliography, must contain between 2200 and 2500 words;
2.7 The oral presentation forms part of the total mark and must be conducted in English at school and during the final adjudication;
2.8 The following documents must be included.
2.8.1 Completed entry form;
2.8.2 Marked essay and completed rubric (see attachment);
2.8.3 A certified copy of SA identity document or birth certificate;
2.8.4 A certified copy of Grade 10 results and of June results for Grade 11;
2.8.5 Declaration of authenticity (see attachment);
2.8.6 Proof of combined income of parents.
3. Schedule
3.1 Final date for essays to be submitted to the school convenor: 8 October 2009.
3.2 Adjudication at schools: 9 to 28 October 2009.
Then school convenor enters on the entry form (to be sent to schools at a later stage) the names of the three learners who have achieved the best marks in the essay and oral presentation.
3.3 Submission to local district office: By 29 October 2009.
Label the envelope: For attention Economics Curriculum Adviser - Nedbank / Treasury / WCED Essay Competition
3.4 Second level adjudication at district level to be completed by an appointed panel during October-November 2009. The ten best entries per education district to be submitted to the DCES: Economics at the WCED Head Office by 22 November 2009.
3.5 The 15 finalists will be selected by a panel: January 2010.
3.6 Finalists interviewed and winners announced: End of January 2010.
4. Adjudication information
4.1 Primary criteria
4.1.1 The focus of the competition is on academic excellence and potential of the learners.
4.1.2 Essays will be judged primarily on merit.
4.1.3 Essays of the same quality will, be evaluated further, using the following criteria:

  • Academic results (Grade 10 and Grade 11 June results);
  • Learner's financial needs, based on parents' or guardians' household income;
  • Disabilities (equal opportunities will be taken into account);
  • Learner's community involvement and commitment to addressing the country's socio-economic issues.
4.2 Additional criteria
The final adjudication panel will interview the finalists to determine the winners. The panel will evaluate each learner in terms of the following criteria:
4.2.1 Intellectual sparkle:
4.2.2 Ability to formulate and express rational arguments:
4.2.3 Understanding and knowledge of topical socio-economic issues.
5. General information
5.1 15 learners will be selected as finalists.
5.2 All finalists will be guests of Western Cape Provincial Government and Nedbank, and will be expected to participate in all functions arranged. These will include a visit to Provincial Parliament and attendance at the Budget Speech banquet, with the Minister of Finance as the keynote speaker.
5.3 All transport and accommodation costs will be paid for the learner finalists and school convenors.
5.4 The school convenors will be expected to accompany their respective school learners and act as mentors for them.
6. Supporting documents
Refer to the attachments for the following documents which will be provided in English only:
6.1 Official entry form (learner);
6.2 The rubric to be used for marking the essays;
6.3 The Nedbank Essay-writing Manual (PDF format);
6.4 Essay authenticity declaration.
7. Enquiries about the essay writing and marking should be directed to the Economics curriculum advisers in the education districts.
8. For technical and electronic support with regard to the printing and copying of documents, and forms for learners, contact your district administration support staff.
9. Principals are requested to bring this curriculum minute to the attention of all Grade 11 Economics, Mathematics and Accounting teachers.


SIGNED: SM NAICKER
ACTING HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2009:08:26

The Western Cape Essay Competion - Entry Form  (size: 149 KB)
Nedbank / Provincial Treasury / WCED Economics Essay Competition 2009 - Learner Essay and Oral Presentation (Rubric)  
(size: 44 KB)
Assistance Programme to Students - Essay Writing Manual  (size: 95 KB)
Nedbank / Treasury / WCED Grade 11 Essay Competition 2009 - Authenticity Declaration:  (size: 8 KB)