Sibikwa Arts Centre, supported by the National Lottery Commission is proud to presentImpande Zobuntu: Stories Without Borders National Online High School Short Stories Competition. This second phase of the storytelling initiative follows the successful completion of the North West Youth Storytelling Competition and now opens the stage to high school learners across the country.
High school students from Grade 8-12 are invited to submit original written stories in indigenous South African languages, exploring this year’s theme of indigenous ecological knowledge and sustainability. Stories must reflect the human-nature connection, traditional wisdom, and environmental awareness, crucial values in today’s climate-conscious world.
Submissions will be reviewed by a panel of three qualified professional adjudicators, who will offer feedback and support to shortlisted candidates. This process includes a unique refinement phase, allowing students to revise and strengthen their work before publication.
The top stories will be published in Sibikwa’s online digital anthology, offering national visibility to emerging young storytellers and creating open educational resources for teachers and schools. A prize will also be awarded to the most promising storyteller.
Entry Requirements:
- Open to high school learners across South Africa from Grade 8-12
- Stories must be original and unpublished, written in an indigenous South African language
- Word count: 800 to 1,500 words
- Stories must align with the environmental theme, focusing on land, ecosystems, and sustainability
- Participants must be willing to receive feedback and revise their stories accordingly
Deadline for short story submission: 15 July 2025
This fully digital competition encourages national participation and supports language preservation, ecological awareness, and creative expression. Through merging technology with culture, the competition ensures accessibility while celebrating the richness of indigenous storytelling traditions.
To enter, send your original story to michael@sibikwa.co.za with the subject line: Short Stories Competition Entry. Include your full name, email, cell phone number, residential area, school, Grade, province, and a headshot of your recent photo.
Follow the link to competition guidelines: https://shorturl.at/2vz4B
For press inquiries or additional information, contact:
Sipho Michael Mabena
michael@sibikwa.co.za
Tel: +27 11 422 4359
WhatsApp: +27 66 399 6012