Key Findings: Ibali Lami National Writing Competition by Mxit Reach

• The Ibali Lami (My Story) writing competition was launched on 30 April

• The competition was open to all Grade 8-12 learners in South Africa

• Learners had to write a short story of up to 300 words in which they imagine themselves as 25-year olds

• They had to tell the story of how they achieved their goals – this was to encourage them to identify the small steps they need to take to succeed

Key Findings

Over 3,000 schools were represented in the competition. This map shows the location of every school that was representedA live version is available at http://vscomp.mxitreach.org/map/

The 2014 Ibali Lami grand prize winner, Nkanyiso Biyela is from Ikhandlela in KZN.

It’s encouraging that so many Grade 10s participated in a competition that asked them to map their future careers. In 2013, 47% of Grade 10s dropped out of school.

• Learners were encouraged to write in their home languages. • The winning essay by Nkanyiso Biyela was written in Zulu. • Zulu and Xhosa were over represented and Afrikaans under represented.• English was the majority language used in writing the essays

Both Genders showed a strong interest in becoming entrepreneursBut only girls specified Social Worker as a profession

12% of learners listed dual jobs

“Education is the most powerful weapon

we can use to change the world”

• There was a strong recognition that education is the key to learners reaching their goals.• Many learners specifically quoted Madiba• 24% who mentioned education as a fundamental right• 28% specifically mentioned the need for tertiary education • Many learners mentioned the need to study hard to win a bursary to afford to study

further• An interesting observation was the number of learners who would like to study Medicine

and specifically mentioned training in Cuba • 23% wish to give back to the community

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Andrew RudgeCEOandrew@mxit.com+27 71 241 1325

Contact Mxit Reach