2024 SADC Tertiary Institution Essay Competition for South Africans.

December 10, 2023Last Updated: December 10, 2023

The SADC Tertiary Institution Essay Competition was initiated to acknowledge the significant contributions of SADC’s Founders in establishing the organization and advancing a regional integration agenda. For the 2024 edition, participants are invited to explore the topic: “What in your opinion has SADC achieved since its formation; and does it reflect the vision of its founders?”

The SADC Tertiary Institution Essay Competition is an annual initiative that encourages students within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to engage in critical thinking and analysis regarding the achievements and alignment of the organization with its founding vision. Participants are prompted to explore the Southern African Development Community’s accomplishments since its inception and evaluate how these achievements resonate with the aspirations envisioned by its founding members. The competition aims to foster a deeper understanding of the Southern African Development Community’s progress and the extent to which it reflects the ideals set by its originators in fostering regional integration and development.

The Southern African Development Community is an intergovernmental organization founded in 1980. It comprises 16 member states in Southern Africa, focusing on promoting socio-economic cooperation and regional integration among its members. The Southern African Development Community region encompasses a diverse range of nations, each contributing to the collective efforts in economic growth, political stability, and social development within the region. This Essay Competition is one of the initiatives aimed at involving students in evaluating the organization’s progress and its alignment with its founding principles.

The Southern African Development Community operates with a core focus on achieving multifaceted objectives outlined in the SADC Treaty of 1992. At the heart of its mission lies the pursuit of economic development, peace, security, and improved living standards for the people of Southern Africa. These objectives are intricately tied to fostering regional integration, built upon democratic principles and sustainable development.

One primary aim is to spur development and economic growth within the region while also addressing the persistent challenge of poverty. Through the vehicle of regional integration, SADC endeavors to enhance the quality of life for its populace and uplift socially disadvantaged groups.

Another pivotal objective involves the cultivation of shared political values, systems, and institutions across member states. Southern African Development Community is dedicated to promoting and safeguarding peace and security within the region, recognizing the fundamental importance of stability in enabling progress and prosperity.

The community is deeply committed to fostering self-sustaining development based on collective self-reliance and acknowledging the interdependence among its member states. It seeks to align national and regional strategies and programs to achieve a harmonious complementarity that benefits the entire region.

SADC aims to optimize the productive employment opportunities within the region, effectively harnessing its resources for mutual benefit. Simultaneously, it places significant emphasis on the sustainable utilization of natural resources and the imperative of preserving the environment.

Beyond economic and political dimensions, SADC acknowledges the importance of strengthening historical, social, and cultural affinities among the people of the region. This recognition underscores the community’s commitment to fostering unity and solidarity among its diverse populations.

Requirements For The SADC Tertiary Institution Essay Competition

SADC Tertiary Institution Essay Competition is calling for submissions of essay entries from active tertiary institution-going learners.
The entries will be coordinated by the Ministries of Education in all respective SADC Member States.
It is the responsibility of Government officials in SADC Member States to submit the top three (3) essays to SADC Secretariat for adjudication at regional level.

Benefits

The winners at regional level will be awarded as follows; 1st prize will receive a prize money of USD2000; 2nd Prize is USD1500; while 3rd Prize will be USD1000; and the top 10 winners will all receive certificates signed by the Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security.
There will be no monetary rewards for national winners, but certificates of recognition for the top three (3) essays from each Member State.

INSTRUCTIONS

Essays are coordinated by the Ministries of Education in all respective SADC Member States. It is the responsibility of Government officials in SADC Member States to submit the top 3 essays to SADC Secretariat for adjudication at regional level.
NOTE: The Secretariat will not accept entries from individuals and as such those entries will be disregarded and disqualified.
The essay should be 4000 words. The deadline for submission of entries to Ministries of Education in respective SADC Member States is 29th February 2024.
The deadline for submission of entries to the Secretariat by Ministries of Education is 31st March 2024.