Durban University of Technology’s Writing Centre held its annual writing competition, obtaining 93 entries.
The award ceremony took place at Botanic Gardens hall where, last week, where winners were awarded at a special ceremony. The competition was on African Heritage which compromised of three genres namely, short stories, essay and opinion and poetry.
Nkosinathi Mkhize wrote entries for all three genres and won first prize for his essay/opinion piece and third prize for his poetry.
Mkhize was the only student who entered all three categories and made it through the first round in all genres. He was shocked but also very happy to have received two awards.
“This was very unexpected. When I had entered the competition, I did want to win but I never thought I would take home two awards. It was not easy took a lot of my time to do but it was all worth it in the end,” said the jubilant Mkhize.
The first prize winners were presented with brand new laptops, the second prize winners were awarded tablets and the third prize winners were given books.
Guest speaker of the day was Dudu Busani Dube, a DUT alumnus. She studied Journalism at ML Sultan Technikon in 1999. She is currently a newspaper editor and writer, who has published three books to date. Dube encouraged all aspiring writers to not be afraid. She taught them how to write a book and guidelines to follow .She also said that writers should write their own opinions when writing “about the present life for the next generation to know about and self-publish your work. I have done it and it has worked for me,” said Dube.
The awards ceremony was sponsored by Van Schaik bookstore, Magic Pan Caterers and Adams bookstore.
Winners in the short story genre were: Shuratta Muyeni, Thobile Ndlazi and Busiswa Mnqabe.
The essay/opinion genre: went to Nkosinathi Mkhize, Dillen Gounden and Lulama Zono.
The poetry genre went to Njabuliso Mfokeng, Siphesihle Nzuza and Nkosinathi Mkhize.
Pictured: Prof Thengani Ngwenya with award winner Nkosinathi Mkhize and Peter Adams, at the event.
Nomfundo Ngcobo
