We had a fantastic number of submissions, with some amazing poetry, coming in. One of our favourite (and probably toughest!) jobs is reading all the work sent in for our competitions and then selecting the top entries. Picking just five is not easy but –
after much discussion and debate and reading out loud – these five poets stood out for us.

Mikyle Paulsen from Factreton was thrilled to be a winner. He sent in a couple of poems and was curious to know which one won! It was Freedom! Mikyle says “I’ve always been a child who loves reading, it struck me as an amazing idea to be able to enjoy pure South African literature in an easily accessible way. Since many reading materials were not easily accessible to me I find comfort in knowing FunDza is around. I plan to save the money or if needs be, I’ll use it to get myself a pair of prescription glasses.”

In Westonaria, we have Christopher Themba who tells us, through his poem – Freedom, my future – what freedom means to him. He tells us why he loves FunDza “FunDza is one of the few NPO’s that really have an idea of how important reading for enjoyment is for the development of an individual. It is not only a hobby but a skill that could easily change any if not every aspect of life to a successful one. This is the reason why I enjoy and love the FunDza platform, because it brings all that we need to perfect this skill into one place. If you love reading books, you use FunDza, like poetry, use FunDza, you write your own material, use FunDza. Everything you need to read, is all found inside your phone, tablet or PC, online and via the FunDza app, it practically makes it very hard for you not to develop as an intellectual. The money I receive from FunDza will go a long way in assisting me in my studies, I will use it to pay for food and to also get my phone fixed.”

Steven Mogale, from Maboloka, touched us with his poem, entitled Mzansi, my home. He tells us: “I love FunDza because it has given up-and-coming writers a platform to show their talent of writing. It gives inspiration, encouragement and plays a huge role in giving us more confidence to keep writing. I’m going to buy my mother a mother’s day gift because I wasn’t able to do so on mother’s day.”

Ntokozo Badli from Mthatha was another FunDza poetry winner for his poem: So Many Things. He says: “I love FunDza because it has made things easier for me. I no longer have to keep going to the library to read a book, but I can find and read African produced books, poems and blogs at the tip of my finger. FunDza opened my eyes, I honestly didn’t know we had many talented writers in SA.” Well done, Ntokozo!

In Phillipi East, Cikiwza Nxili shares her beautiful poem – This Day – with us, making her a winner too! Cikiwza says “The reason I love FunDza: for me literature is like candy to a child so FunDza is a candy store! This prize money will go towards my university fees , every little cent counts!” Well done, Cikiwza! Her poem is below too.

Well done to all our poetry winners, and to all those who submitted their poems. Take a look at our highly commended entries too!

WINNERS

Freedom! – Mikyle Ashley Paulsen
Freedom, my future – Christopher Themba
Mzansi, my home… – Steven Mogale
So many things – Ntokozo Badli
The day – Cikizwa Beverely Nxili

HIGHLY COMMENDED ENTRIES

Born free – Luleth Makutu
Born-free generation – Darrionn Drew
Change – Phumudzo Divhambele
Elated for freedom – Makgethwa Phala
Elusive freedom – Nosiphiwe Tshona
Freedom, breaking our yokes – Oke Yomi Zaccheause
Freedom to me – Bonnie Jude
Hero-in – Darrionn Drew
How To Dress Freedom – Moses Phiri
I am freedom – Magada Nelisiwe
Indeed we are free – Ncumisa Mohamed
In the name of Freedom – Sbonelo Delight Mkhize
My streets, my joy – Steven Mogale
Our inheritance – Ntokozo Badli
Sacrifices for my freedom – Makgethwa Phala
The dream beyond dreamers – Steven Mogale
The Sun Sets In The South – Moses Phiri
This is my freedom – Ntokozo Badli
This is freedom – Khotso Letsatsi
Where are you, freedom? – Bonginkosi Lize