Craig Lucas, a former Elsies River High School learner, has just started his internship at the Western Cape Provincial Treasury, after a life-changing decision five year ago.
In 2009, Lucas entered the Nedbank, Western Cape Provincial Treasury and Western Cape Department of Education Essay Writing Awards and was one of its first winners.
Reflecting on his journey since he won the competition and with it, a full university bursary, Lucas said: “I’m now set to start building a career in public service. If anyone were to ask me five years ago where I see myself in the next five years, I could never have imagined myself working for the government, but now I can’t imagine myself working anywhere else.” Lucas and his fellow winners, have just started their three-year long internship at the Western Cape Provincial Treasury.
The 2014 winners of the Nedbank, Western Cape Provincial Treasury and the Western Cape Department of Education Essay Writing Competition were announced this weekend. Held since 2008, the awards strive to develop the next generation of mathematicians, accountants and economists in the Western Cape. There have been 54 winners since the competition’s launch.
The top 12 finalists each won a bursary to an accredited tertiary institution. In addition, the overall winner received a cash prize of R10 000, the first runner up received R7 500, the second runner up received R5 000 and the remaining nine finalists each won R2 000.
The teachers of the top three students each won a cash amount ranging from R10 000 to R7 000. The teachers of the remaining nine winners each received R5 000.
The complete list of winners:
NAME | SCHOOL |
Lené Dippenaar | Tygerberg High School |
Jonyke Raats | Bloemhof Girls High School |
Gior du Plessis | Paul Roos Gymnasium |
Stefano Filippi | Rondebosch Boys High School |
Yolanda Khumalo | Rhodes High School |
Bianca Ehlers | Bloemhof Girls High School |
Liamé Smit | Tygerberg High School |
Elke Links | George High School |
Jeandré Joubert | Outeniqua High School |
Siyasanga Mbuku | Masibambane Secondary School |
Deejayjunior Jay | Windsor High School |
Katlego Makena | Brackenfell High School |
The essay writing competition is open to learners taking economics, mathematics or accounting as subjects from all of the 213 secondary schools in the Western Cape.
This year’s entrants were required to write an essay of 2 200 words on the following topic:
“The effects of the global economic meltdown and ensuing recession in 2009 had severe negative effects on the world and South African economy, including a sharp rise in poverty, downturn in economic growth, sharp increase in job losses and a general downturn in the standard of living. However, since then there have been positive signs of the start of a slow economic recovery in our country, as well on the government’s stated intentions to fight poverty. Critically analyse the above-mentioned current economic situation in South Africa, identify the main characteristics of the poverty situation in our country, and make recommendations to government and business on possible interventions to stimulate economic growth, improve job creation and the standard of living in our country.”
Alan Winde, Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, said the competition Lené Dippenaar, made useful suggestions in her essay titled: “End of the Road or Window of Opportunity?” Her recommendations included a focus on education, addressing skills shortages and maximises international trade relationships.
“I was impressed by the quality of this year’s essays, as learners put their recommendations forward to grow our economy. The finance and business industry is one of our key sectors and contribute 32.4% to the province’s Gross Domestic Product. The Western Cape Government is working to ensure that we address skills shortages in our critical sectors. One of the goals of this project is to encourage enthusiasm in important subjects such as mathematics, economics and accounting. This initiative also offers young people the valuable work experience they need after they study in order to build their careers,” said Minister Winde.
Donald Grant, Minister of Education, said: “What makes the Nedbank/Western Cape Government essay writing competition special is its focus on maths, economics and accounting. My time as Minister of Education has confirmed my belief that these subjects are priority areas for advancing education (and more specifically financial literacy) in this province because of their importance in building the future of this country. Proficiency, especially in mathematics, also forms the basis of many of our further education and training fields in science, technology, engineering and business - all key sectors for a growing economy such as ours. Therefore, as a government, we are working hard to encourage our learners to take mathematics and science – gateway subjects for the economic development of our province and of the personal career opportunities of our learners – we have placed a lot of resources in these subject areas,” said Minister Grant.
Bronwynne Jooste
Spokesperson for Minister Alan Winde
Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism
Western Cape Government
Tel: 021 483 3550
Cell: 082 454 4365
E-mail: bronwynne.jooste@westerncape.gov.za