The Secretariat of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) has launched the 2023 SADC Tertiary Institution Essay competition for all active tertiary institution-going learners.
The topic of this year’s competition is “Describe the roles that the founding fathers might have played in developing the vision for the regional integration”. The topic is guided by the decisions taken by the Council of Ministers in August 2020 and March 2021, which directed the SADC Secretariat to operationalize the initiative to recognize and honor the roles played by the SADC Founders.
The initiative, as approved by the SADC Council, is aimed at providing due recognition to the Founders of SADC for their contribution to the establishment of SADC and the subsequent pursuance of a regional integration agenda. The wording of the think piece and content should aim at promoting the role played by the Founders of SADC taking into account the prevailing peace and security which contributes to the SADC’s Objectives and Common Agenda.
Instructions
The essay should be:
- 4000 words;
- typed and submitted in both hard copies and electronic in Microsoft Word document format;
- written in one of the SADC working languages, i.e. English, Portuguese, and/or French;
- accompanied by a SADC Tertiary Institution Essay Competition Entry Form and
- submitted by 28th February 2023.
Note: Entrants should sign and initial each page of the hard copy document to make sure that they have not been altered.
Marking Guidelines:
In answering the research question, entrants should ensure that they address the sub-questions listed below in their essays:
- Provide a brief overview of the geopolitical roles that the Founding Fathers of SADC played in contributing to the development of the SADC vision (1000 words, 25 points);
- Describe in depth the initial SADC regional integration model and how it has improved or affected the relationships between its Member States to the present day (1000 words, 25 points);
- Describe the political and socio-economic principles and/or policies that should guide the Regional Integration agenda in Southern Africa (1000 words, 25 points);
- What initiatives can the peoples of the Region take to develop economic, social, and cultural ties, and to participate fully in the enhancement of regional integration in Southern Africa? (1000 words, 25 points).
Competition rules and guidelines
- The competition is open to all active tertiary institution-going learners from all 16 Southern African Development Community (SADC) Member States;
- The entrants’ work should not have been published/broadcast by a registered and/or authorized broadcast company, newspaper, blog, radio station, television station, or agency or carried on an online by a registered and/or authorized agent in any of the SADC Member States;
- This competition is open to all registered tertiary school learners with a valid student ID, and only one submission will be accepted per writer;
- All essays entering the competition should be in one of the SADC working languages, i.e. English, Portuguese, and/or French. However, the writer can use some inserts in any national indigenous language of the SADC Region, but provide translation in the glossary;
- The tone/composition of the essay must be reflective of the SADC region; and relates to the people and culture of inhabitants of the region;
- Entries from lecturers/ tutors and employees of tertiary schools will not be accepted, and shall not be entered for adjudication.
What the competition offers
The winning entry will receive a once-off prize money which will cover the outright payment of the Intellectual Property Rights of the essay.
The winners at the regional level will be awarded as follows;
- 1st prize will receive prize money of USD2000;
- 2nd Prize is USD1500;
- while 3rd Prize will be USD1000; and
- the top 10 winners will receive certificates signed by the Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence, and Security.
Please note: The prize will be paid directly to the winner in his/her home country through the Secretariat.
Application process
Applicants from South Africa must submit their completed application forms via email at Internationalscholarships@dhet.gov.za, and must be sent hard copies via courier mail to the address below;
The Department of Education and Training
International Scholarships
Private Bag X174
Pretoria
0001
OR hand delivered at
Department of Higher Education and Training
123 Francis Baard Street
Pretoria
0002
Announcement of the winners will be done through the SADC website (www.sadc.int) including its social media handlers on 17th August 2023.
Contact
All queries should be forwarded to internationalscholarships@dhet.gov.za
Documents and links
Southern African Development Community Website
SADC Tertiary Institution Essay Competition Guidelines
SADC Tertiary Institution Essay Entry Form
Note
Please note that this opportunity is not offered by the Department of Higher Education and Training. Applicants are required to undertake their own research into programs and institutions and are responsible for ensuring that the qualifications will be recognized in South Africa. If there are any discrepancies in the details provided, the information given by the sponsor supersedes the details provided above. No additional financial support will be provided by the Department of Higher Education and Training.
Closing date
28 February 2023
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