Knight Piésold Southern Africa: 2024 Bokamoso Essay Competition: Celebrating Youth Visionaries and Future Leaders

The Knight Piésold Southern Africa Bokamoso Essay Competition continues to shine as a beacon of hope to young South Africans showcasing their creativity, insight, and ambition through creative writing. This event, held at St. Ives Primary School in Eldorado Park on 31 October 2024, supported by the Gauteng Department of Education, celebrated the voices of South African youth envisioning a brighter future. Students, educators, dignitaries, and industry leaders gathered to honour a new generation of thinkers and dreamers who represent South Africa’s future.

Inspiring Young Writers for a Brighter Tomorrow

Launched as part of Knight Piésold’s investment into the local community, the Bokamoso Essay Competition aims to empower high school students from underserved communities to engage in creative and reflective writing.

The word "Bokamoso" translates to "future" in Setswana, and it embodies the vision that Knight Piésold Southern Africa holds for South Africa’s youth—empowering them to shape a brighter future through education.

This year’s theme, “I am optimistic about my future in South Africa because…” invited Grade 10 and 11 learners from schools across Gauteng, to share their thoughts on the nation’s strengths and potential. Through this platform, students can express their aspirations while refining their writing skills and earning recognition for their efforts.

About Bokamoso and Knight Piésold Southern Africa

This competition, is an essential part of Knight Piésold’s commitment to supporting young minds, especially from underserved communities, by encouraging Grade 10 and 11 students to engage in creative writing on important issues impacting their future.

The competition is designed to give students a platform to share their thoughts and ideas about the future of South Africa. It also serves as an opportunity for them to develop valuable skills such as critical thinking, creativity, and self-expression. As part of its broader commitment to education, Knight Piésold seeks to equip the youth with the tools to excel in various sectors, including science, engineering, and technology, ultimately contributing to the country’s growth and development.

About the event

The event opened with a warm welcome to an audience that included learners, teachers, principals, community members, and media representatives, like Soweto FM. The team highlighted the importance of education in building a prosperous South Africa and set an energetic tone for the day. The event began with a stirring rendition of the national anthem by the St Ives Primary School Choir, filling the hall with pride and anticipation.

The program featured influential speakers who underscored the significance of education, empowerment, and community support. Vishal Haripersad , Managing Director of Knight Piésold Southern Africa, spoke passionately about the company’s commitment to youth development, while Marisa Chinian from the Gauteng Department of Education shared inspiring words on the role of education in shaping a resilient future for South Africa. Their words underscored Knight Piésold’s deep commitment to supporting educational initiatives and empowering young people in South Africa.

Throughout the event, the students, educators, and guests were encouraged to think critically about the role they can play in building a brighter future. It was clear that the Knight Piésold Bokamoso Essay Competition is not just a contest but a movement to inspire, empower, and nurture young talent.

Winners of the Competition: Celebrating Future Leaders

The competition saw an exceptional level of talent, with the judges—a panel of industry experts from education, business, and the literary world—tasked with selecting the most impressive essays. After careful consideration, 5 students from the local community were selected. The top 5 were given the opportunity to read out their winning submissions, to showcase the passion behind each of their unique perspectives relating to the topic.

The winners not only received recognition for their outstanding work but were also awarded substantial cash prizes, as well as contributions to their school projects:

• 1st Place: R8,500 + R125,000 contribution to school project
• 2nd Place: R6,500 + R85,000 contribution to school project
• 3rd Place: R5,000 + R70,000 contribution to school project
• 4th Place: R3,000 + R45,000 contribution to school project
• 5th Place: R2,000 + R25,000 contribution to school project

These monetary rewards will go a long way in supporting their further education. Additionally, their schools received matching prizes, enabling the institutions to further enrich their educational resources.

The competition attracted an impressive number of entries, with 87 essays submitted by students from schools across Johannesburg South Region. The submissions demonstrated the students' deep understanding of the issues affecting their communities and a heartfelt optimism about their role in South Africa’s future. Judges evaluated each entry based on topic adherence, structure, language use, creativity, and the “WOW” factor, which measures the impact and originality of the essay.

The top five finalists, whose exceptional entries stood out, were honored on the day:

The judging panel, comprising experts from various sectors, included Marisa Chinian @Department of Education , Brenda Lacey-Smith CESA - Consulting Engineers South Africa , Amelia Briel Knight Piesold Southern Africa , and Gerard Peters Mining Review Africa . Their dedication and thoughtful evaluation were crucial in selecting the most exceptional essays.

A Testament to South Africa’s Youth Potential

The Bokamoso Essay Competition stands as a testament to the resilience, optimism, and talent of South Africa’s youth. By providing a platform for young voices to be heard, Knight Piésold Southern Africa is investing in the leaders of tomorrow, encouraging them to dream big and work toward a brighter, united South Africa. With the success of this year’s event, the competition has set a strong foundation for future generations to come.

This competition not only celebrates individual achievements but also reinforces Knight Piésold’s commitment to creating a legacy of educational empowerment and social impact, one essay at a time. The future is indeed bright for these young visionaries, who—with the right support—can transform their dreams for South Africa into reality.

Looking Ahead: The Future of the Bokamoso Essay Competition

Since its inception, the Knight Piésold Bokamoso Essay Competition has grown in stature and impact. What started as a community initiative has now become a significant event in the local community that brings together young minds from across Gauteng, providing them with a platform to share their voices and dreams. The event further solidified the competition’s role in encouraging youth participation in creative writing and in thinking critically about the future.

Looking ahead, Knight Piésold plans to continue expanding the competition, attracting even more entries from across the country and offering additional opportunities for mentorship and personal development. As the competition grows, it will continue to serve as a vital resource for young students who aspire to make a positive impact in their communities and in the world at large.

The Knight Piésold Southern Africa Bokamoso Essay Competition stands as a testament to the company’s commitment to education and its belief in the power of young people to drive change. By supporting these students and encouraging them to think critically about the future, Knight Piésold is investing in the leaders of tomorrow—leaders who will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of South Africa.

The competition has once again proven that the youth of South Africa are full of potential and hope, and Knight Piésold is proud to be part of their journey towards a brighter tomorrow!

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