The Southern African Development Community (SADC) announced the winners of its 2026 Secondary School Essay Competition at the 46th Ordinary SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government held in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, a regional initiative designed to encourage youth participation in integration affairs and to amplify young voices on critical developmental issues.
The SADC Secretariat annually allocates USD 1,000 to Participating Member States, to be allocated to their top three learners, who then advance to the regional stage. Regional winners collectively share USD 3,250, with certificates recognising their achievements.
This year’s theme, “How can SADC achieve industrialization, agricultural transformation, and energy transition for a resilient future?”, was derived from the 45th Ordinary SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government held in Madagascar in August 2025.
Following a rigorous selection process by the DBE and regional adjudicators, the following three learners emerged as the top three finalists:
- Mr Siyambonga Makhoba, Empangeni High School: KwaZulu‑Natal;
- Ms Nokuzola Magwayi, New Vision Secondary School: North West; and
- Ms Alwande Madlala, Ndondakusuka Secondary School: KwaZulu‑Natal.
At the regional stage of the competition, Siyambonga Makhoba secured third place, and Nokuzola Magwayi ranked tenth.
Siyambonga indicated that entering the competition was driven by a lifelong passion for writing and a desire to challenge personal goals; it was a vision board aspiration for the year. He said his essay was not just about addressing the topic, but about using a student’s voice to reflect on Africa’s challenges and highlight its potential. He emphasised that young people are not only “leaders of tomorrow” but also catalysts of change today. Age should not limit their ability to make an impact.
Reflecting on her journey, Nokuzola said she was inspired by the opportunity to challenge herself as a writer and to share ideas on issues affecting young people. She emphasised that competitions like this foster unity across SADC by bringing learners together to address common challenges. “Education can open doors and give you opportunities you may not have imagined,” she noted, encouraging peers to embrace every chance to learn and grow.
Alwande echoed these sentiments, crediting her English teacher for motivating her to enter. She highlighted the importance of Ubuntu, “I am because we are,” as a guiding principle for regional solidarity. “Education is power. Even if you come from a small place, education can take you far. Let us use it to build SADC,” she said.
Despite differences in resources, contexts and education systems, the SADC region countries share a common responsibility to develop resilient, innovative and globally competent young people. The Competition reinforces the belief that education should not operate in isolation, but should encourage collaboration, cultural exchange and the sharing of effective practices across borders, as well as the importance of equipping learners with skills such as critical thinking, communication, digital literacy, creativity and problem-solving so that they can contribute meaningfully within their communities and across the region. The Competition continues to serve as a platform for young people to showcase their talents, engage with pressing regional issues, and contribute to the vision of a united and prosperous Southern Africa. With learners like Makhoba, Magwayi, and Madlala leading the way, the future of SADC’s youth engagement looks promising.