The 2025 National Youth Essay, Poetry & Art Competition Against Racism is Now Open!
Use your voice. Share your story. Win great prizes.
The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation is proud to announce the 9th Annual National Essay Writing Competition Against Racism. An opportunity for young people to raise their voices, challenge injustice, and advocate for a non-racial South Africa.
The competition is open to all South African youth aged 13–21, and encourages critical thinking, creativity, and bold ideas that address the persistent realities of racism and inequality.
This year’s topics:
- Do we need quotas in sport today?
- How does religion affect racial unity and division in society today?
- Does social media spread racism, and how can young people use it to fight back?
- What does racism look like in 2025?
Entry Formats:
- Essay (1000–1500 words)
- Poetry (accompanied by a 500-word explanation)
- Original Artwork (not larger than A3, accompanied by a 500-word explanation)
Prizes Per Category:
- 1st Place: Cash Prize + Laptop
- 2nd Place: Cash Prize + Laptop
- All entrants will receive certificates of participation
Winning entries will be published on the Foundation’s website, social media, and other platforms.
Closing Date: 31 July 2025
Submission Details:
Entries must be submitted with a completed entry form (available at www.kathradafoundation.org) via:
- Email: essays@kathradafoundation.org
- Hand delivery: Signet Terrace Office Park, Block B, Suite 2, 19 Guinea-Fowl Street, Lenasia, 1827, Johannesburg
Competition Rules & Guidelines:
- Participants must be between the ages of 13–21 at the time of submission.
- One entry per participant. Participants cannot submit an essay, poem and artwork at once.
- Entries submitted must be based on one of the four topics provided.
- Joint entries are not accepted.
- Only South African residents are eligible to participate.
- Each submission must be the original work of the participant. Plagiarized entries will be disqualified.
- All entries must be accompanied by a completed entry form with full participant details.
- Essays must be between 1000–1500 words.
- Poetry and artwork must be accompanied by a written explanation of no more than 500 words.
- Artwork entries must not exceed A3 size.
- Entries must be sent as an attachment. Entries submitted in the body of an email or as a link will not be considered.
- Submit in .doc, .docx or .pdf format only.
- No links or in-body emails.
- Entry form must be included.
- Original work only. No plagiarism.
- Poems/artworks? Include a 500-word explanation.
- No group or multiple submissions allowed.
- Previous winners from 2023 or 2024 are not eligible to enter.
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Failure to adhere to these rules will result in automatic disqualification.
For more information, contact:
Call: 011 854 0082
Email: rethabile@kathradafoundation.org
