In celebration of September Literacy month, FunDza hosted a poetry competition on the theme: Words that Matter to Me. Fanz were asked to write an eight to 10 line poem about words that impacted on them – it could’ve been words that have harmed them, or words that healed them, or words about love… or any other title that is about words. Judges selected five winning entries, and also highlighted some poems as being Highly Commended or Commended. See below.

The FIVE Winners

Kelebogile Mbangi is a first-year Quantity Surveying student at the University of Pretoria who enjoys literature and the arts. “I love learning about how others think and feel, hence my love for literature. It gives one the opportunity to delve into the minds and hearts of all sorts of people. I aspire to become a professional Quantity Surveyor and a writer on the side as literature is my first love. I value a simple, peaceful life filled with godly devotion and love.”
Read her winning entry: There is no letter for you my child

Refiloe Felicia Motaung a girl from the township who likes to write and being in touch with herself more than anything. She wishes competitions like this would not end so that they can inspire and grow the people who have already started writing. She hopes she will not lose contact with us going forward. (We hope not too!)
Read her winning entry: Words that I won’t forget

Sisipho Kokoma is a 16 year old Grade 11 student at Voortrekker High School. She says: “I love reading and writing as they help me escape the daily hardships I witness in my township. Reading and writing take me to a unique universe where my imagination runs wild. My favourite book of all time has to be ‘Love, David’ by Dianne Case because the story is a true representation of life in South Africa. I also love the book because I have a deep connection with the characters and I can relate to them.”
Read her winning entry: That is not what you said

Kayla Arnold is a 19 year old first year student, studying a BA in Social Dynamics at Stellenbosch University, but most people just know her as “that girl from Brave”.
Read her winning entry: Fell

Fikile Makhubo is a writer/poet, who started collecting other people’s pieces in primary school and later tried her hand at writing her own work. It was through her hometown-based Art Movement, that she got the chance to practice at perfomance. Since then she’s been in various poetry movements and poetry sessions based in the Vaal, Soweto, Jhb and Pretoria. She has won a few poetry competitions and slams. She also shared a stage with the likes of Afurakan Mohare, Mutle Mothibe, Napo Masheane amongst others. “I plan to become a household name as a poetess, poetry to me is a form of breathing.”
Read her winning entry: Words that raised me

Highly Commended

Your name is Poetry – Mawande Kamsholo
My writing dream – Amanda Nocawe Mpinga
Papa – Baxolise Mfidi
What matters – Kyle Allan
Letter of a Little Foreign Girl – Nomagugu Moyo

Commended

This is all you’re ever gonna be good for – Palesa Raphala
Thief in the night – Adilet Hamid
Mom does daddy hate me? – Thato Phokwane
I’m proud of you – Teressa Sambo
You are who you think you are – Prince Maqhubu
You are not going to do it! – Sibusiso Mahlangu William
They said – Relebogile Lerato Mosako
Sinking in the situation – Wakhi Sihle Tshangela
Words spoken in silence – Gugulethu Goodness Hadebe
Useless – Zandile Nyauza
Alone we stood outside in the dark – John Kaunda
You’re not my own! – Christine Fortuin
Babes, Mabhebeza, My size, Dudlu ntombazana – Innocentia Queen Zintle Bangiso
I didn’t do it – Nonkazimulo Ngcobo
Help me, he said – Busi Radebe
I love you hence in this crucial time – Yonela Gojo
No – Yamkela
Words that broke me… – Ziyanda Khumalo
Harness this heart and ravish its fabrics – Mankgane Michael Masenya
We laid there after making loving – Kelle Tembani
Words that Deceive – Nompumelelo Khanyile
Words for my daddy – Jason Malcolm du Plessis
The Little Black Boy – Lyndon Groener
Enrich is a verb that states the purpose of my favourite word – Zusakhe Gwetyana
Beyond me – Lindokuhle Eric Myeni
He’s standing in front of my face – Thabile kwela
I have serious things to do, okay? – Maroga Lepogo Percy
Express yourself – Shikhar Singh
ABC – Sylvester Chabuka Junior
Words that were never uttered – Akhona Mlenga
Hang in there – Amanda Fipaza
Words From Mom and Dad – Alfonso September
Words that left me broken – Zethu Zulu
Never be apologetic about who and what you are – Zanele Ngomane
Still in my view – Gyampoh Adjei Perry
It was on a chilled night – Lephoto Thato Petronella
Words that left me numb – Phindile N Mabena
Never gonna get it – Khomotso Motene
Your words cannot define me – Babalwa Sokapase
You are a failure – Bukiwe Tiyane
You Stole My Heart – Tshediso Mofokeng
You will amount to nothing in life – Tabisa Qashani
You can do it – Refilwe Boikanyo
Fragile words are trapped inside me – Lungile Manyathi
Free decolonised education – Mangaliso Sambo
Because you are a woman – Anna Nechironga
That fateful night involved the sky – Hector Sibisi
Mama’s Words – Solo Relebohile Grace
I Am A Blonde – Phumelele Hlangu