We received close on 100 entries for the senior section of the My Home, My Hood writing competition. So many were poignant, shocking, beautifully rendered. It was a tough choice for the judges… but after much deliberating… the winners of the senior section of the competition are:
Athenkosi Cetyana for his entry A familiar stranger in my house. Responding to the news, Athenkosi said: “I am honoured and amazed that my entry made it thus far. I am grateful for the opportunity to tell my story. I plan to use the prize money to purchase a few books so I can nourish my writing.”
Njabulo Goba for his entry We never make it to the news. He said: “It feels great, didn’t expect to win so I didn’t plan for this money, but I’m pretty sure I won’t spend it wisely, and that’s okay with me.”
Phakamani Chamane for his entry Trust Wound. Phakamani said: “I would like to begin by saying, Whoooo! Man, it feels good. The fact that my work was acknowledged in this way is just incredible, its truly humbling. Thank you Fundza. I’ll probably get my mom something nice to reward her support, buy a book or two, then save the rest.”
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The judges also wanted to honour the following as being Highly Commended:
Munyaradzi Gumbo for Little did I know that I was black
Nkosinathi Mkhize for Running
Amanda Mpinga for The day I knew I didn’t belong in Daveyton
Amour-Angela Mobonzot for Paradise of a Perceiver
Chanda Chongo for What’s this growing in the belly of my city
And the following are the Commended entries:
Refilwe Maphumulo for Mamelodi, a place of dreams and fears
Feliciana Nezingu for The Unwanted Guest
Tobozo Koza for Scattered Pictures
Ashley Klein for Small town inertia
Ntombizodwa Mahlangu for My mother is now gone
Thobelani Ngema for Surprised attack
Vukeya Warden for Unguarded
Onkgopotse Joy Rakau for Bitter Wine
Mandilakhe Ndungane for Free Ground
Thabo Fistos Ramatlo for Welcome to my kasi
Ntsikelelo Solani for The Karoo: beauty or curse
Congratulations to all the winning, highly commended and commended entries… and to everyone who participated! Click here to the meet the JUNIOR winners of the “My Home, My Hood” Writing Competition.