1. The national Department of Education, in partnership with South African History Online, has invited all schools to participate in the National Schools' Oral History Competition for the Nkosi Albert Luthuli Young Historians' Award, which was introduced in 2005. This competition will form part of the Department's contribution to the strengthening of teaching and learning of History in schools.
2. It is also part of the Department's ongoing initiative to encourage all learners to develop an understanding of the broad history of South Africa and of the richness of the histories of their local communities. It is also an opportunity for young learners to gain experience in developing important research skills.
3. The competition is open to all learners from Grade 8 to Grade 11 and all History and Social Sciences teachers at secondary schools.
4. The Western Cape Education Department is proud to announce that Yumna Jackson, a learner at Bridgetown High School won the national competition in 2008 and Mr Louis Marais, of Wolseley Secondary School, was placed third in the competition for teachers.
5. Competition for Learners
5.1 Learners and teachers are advised to visit the South African History Online website at www.sahistory.org.za for information on oral history research.
5.2 Learners will be required to research and prepare a presentation or a documentary film or video on one of the following topics:

  1. The changing heritage landscape of South Africa: Learners could investigate the history behind a heritage site and its significance to the history of the village, town or region. They could focus on burial sites, monuments and statues, and how local people interpret these sites;
  2. Alternatively, learners could investigate two heritage sites in one town or city; one representing the period before 1994 and the other representing national unity and reconciliation in post 1994 democratic South Africa;
  3. Learners could also investigate an undeclared heritage site and submit a portfolio that could, in turn, be sent to the South African Heritage Resources Agency;
  4. The history of my school: The learner would be expected to interview members of the community who were involved in the establishment of the school. They could also interview former students of the school and establish how the school is linked to local history;
  5. Significant places of worship: Learners could interview the members and leaders of faith-based organisations and investigate the history behind a spiritual space of worship. This space could be a mountain, river, building or open field;
  6. The refugees in South Africa: South Africa has attracted many people from different parts of the world, especially after the introduction of democracy in 1994. The majority of these refugees left their countries in search of a better life and others are victims of political persecution in their own countries. Learners could investigate the plight of refugees in South Africa and make recommendations on how to treat refugees in a country that promotes a human rights culture. Learners would be expected to interview refugees as well as locals;
  7. The history of transport: Transport systems are an important part of the country's social and economic development. South Africa has experienced transport change and development over a period of time;
    For example, learners could interview parents or grandparents who used the railway system during the 20th Century and also investigate how the local economy was linked to the railways. The railway, for example, was also a major employer in the previous century and they could also interview former employees of the railways. Learner projects could also cover deserted railway stations and settlements;
    Learners could also investigate the introduction of bus and taxi services in their local areas.
  8. The history of sport- or cultural group: Sport- and cultural clubs have contributed to the shaping of many people's characters. Towns and villages have, for example, soccer-, cricket-, tennis- and netball clubs. Learners could interview older members of the teams and establish how those teams were formed and how they shaped the lives of many people in the community;
  9. Unsung heroes and heroines: The role of ordinary men and women in development. Learners should focus on those men and women who were never publicly acknowledged.
5.3 Please note the following:

  • The project must be based on oral history research;
  • Learners should be assisted in their choice of persons to be interviewed;
  • Learners should be strongly encouraged to choose a person or persons from their local community;
  • Adjudication will be weighted towards the quality of research, rather than the mode of presentation;
  • The presentation may be in any of the official languages.
6. Competition for Teachers
6.1 Teachers entering the competition will be required to submit a work plan on how they have planned and organised the oral history project in the classroom.
6.2 Teachers will be required to present their portfolios formally to a panel of adjudicators and must be prepared for a panel discussion on the portfolio.
6.3 Teachers should include the following in a portfolio for the competition:

  • How the oral history project was introduced in the classroom;
  • What explanation was given to learners about choosing and approaching interviewees preparing for and conducting interviews, and using the interview as evidence to reach conclusions about the contribution of that individual;
  • What interventions the teacher used in assisting learners to complete the project;
  • What the teacher felt the learners gained from doing an oral history investigation.
7. Adjudication
7.1 Adjudication will take place at a provincial level on 4 & 5 September 2009, and at a national level on 24 - 26 September 2009 at a national event.
7.2 Panels of adjudicators, comprised of historians and heritage workers, will be appointed for the provincial and national adjudications.
8. The National Event
8.1 3 learners from secondary schools in each province will be selected as the Nkosi Albert Luthuli Young Historians to represent their province at a national event in September 2009. Learners will be expected to give an oral presentation of their research and have a hard copy of their research essay available for adjudicators.
8.2 One teacher from each province will be selected to attend the national event in September 2009. Teachers will be expected to present their work plans to a panel of adjudicators.
9. Criteria for learner adjudication are attached.
10. Should your school wish to enter the competition, please complete the attached registration form and fax or e-mail it to the curriculum adviser for GET Social Sciences or FET History curriculum adviser at your district office, who will provide further information about the adjudication process.


SIGNED: SM NAICKER
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2009:08:07

Criteria for learner competition  (size: 21 KB)
Registration form for Nkosi Albert Luthuli young historians’ award  (size: 8 KB)