To celebrate Youth Month, FunDza hosted an online course competition called #YouthPower. There was a lot of interest – more than 800 people registered for the course and 301 completed all parts and were considered valid entries. A computer program selected – by random draw – the FIVE lucky winners… Each won R1,000 in cash and a goodie bag of treats from FunDza.

Meet these awesome winners and find out what they had to say when they heard the news…

Simamkele Mahlangu, Gauteng
“I would firstly like to thank FunDza for this great opportunity. FunDza should continue providing such great experiences and opportunities for the youth. The money that I have won will help me towards my campaign called ‘Silent Healer’. Again, I am grateful.”

Mthandeni Mxolisi Shezi, Kwa-Zulu Natal
“I’m so happy to be selected! I wasn’t expecting to be the winner. I am going to spoil my mother because she’s the one who introduced me to these FunDza courses. FunDza helped me by increasing my language skills. The competition wasn’t so difficult to me. I started FunDza courses in 2017. Thank you FunDza!”

Kwanele Balele, Eastern Cape
“Winning this competition was really a surprise at the same time exciting as it was something I didn’t expect. To me winning is so fun… sure. But it is not the point. I’m really grateful to be named one of the winners. Thanks to the FunDza team for giving us such opportunities, it means a lot. With the money I’ve won I’m planning to repair my tablet’s screen so that I will be able to write more. The rest I’ll save for my birthday, which is just around the corner.”

Mbali Phakathi, Kwa-Zulu Natal
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank you guys for the prize. I am going to use half the money and open a bank account and start to put my savings in, because clearly it seems like there will be more cash coming in since I am interested in courses and competitions. The rest of the money I will have to pay for my computer course. I am so overwhelmed and excited. I still can’t believe it. I started reading FunDza books in June this year, but it feels like I have been on the site for a year because I have learnt a lot and I spend hours reading on it. The site has helped me understand the importance of a self-esteem and it has also given me advice on how to behave in the field of work. I would also like to add that the books have encouraged me to be myself no matter what. It has also taught me that everybody makes mistakes, but we learn from them… I thank you.”

Palesa Nqobile Ndaba, KwaZulu-Natal
“Winning this competition means a lot to me because I have entered many competitions before but I have never won anything. Besides being a first time winner and receiving money, the competition has taught me a lot about June 16 and the role young people played on that day. Words can not express how I feel and how grateful I am.”

Congratulations to all the winners, and thank you to everyone who participated!