Rudolf Gaiseb
Two students from Cosmos High School, who emerged victorious in the Bible Society of Namibia essay writing competition, received Waltons vouchers valued at N$2 500 each on Monday in Windhoek.
The winners, Rosalia Shanyengana (15), and Victoria Christopher (16), were among more than 48 participants from various schools in Windhoek.
Additionally, Immanuel Shifidi Secondary School was awarded a lamination machine and three boxes of copy paper for submitting the highest number of entries.
Participants were required to compose an essay discussing the lessons that can be derived from Spekboom’s resilience in the face of climate change, viewed through a Biblical lens. Shanyengana shared her initial reluctance to participate, stating, “At first, I was not keen on writing the essay, but my mother encouraged me to do so. The beginning felt somewhat tedious, yet as I progressed with my writing and research, I found enjoyment in the process. I discovered new insights about the Spekboom, and the key takeaway from my essay is that one should not allow minor setbacks to hinder progress. Rather, one must strive to overcome them.”
Christopher expressed her enthusiasm, noting that the competition significantly enhanced her writing abilities.
It was a challenge to frame her writing within a Biblical context. However, it compelled her to delve into her Bible to find suitable references that would complement the sentences and align with the essay she was crafting, she remarked.
Shanyengana, who triumphed in the junior category (grades 8 to 10), and Christopher, the senior category winner (grades 10 to 12), received accolades for their original compositions, in contrast to their peers who utilised ChatGPT for their essays.
Matheus Munyandi, their proud geography teacher, commented, “This type of competition is beneficial as it engages our learners and youth with the Bible, where they can discover solutions to some of the challenges they face.”
He expressed concern that the youth often find themselves bored, leading to indulgence in detrimental activities such as drug and alcohol abuse.
“Competitions like this provide them with constructive engagement,” he added.
Martha Kautanevali, Miss Earth 2023 and the competition’s ambassador, commended the students for their commitment to the competition and their exploration of significant environmental issues, showcasing their ideas with enthusiasm and creativity.
“We celebrate not only the winners, but all participants, as each of you has contributed to a broader dialogue regarding sustainability and the future of our planet,” she stated. She encouraged young individuals to safeguard the environment for the benefit of future generations.
The inaugural essay competition was launched in August this year at Windhoek Technical High School.
Schalk Botha, the chief executive officer of the Bible Society of Namibia, said the competition is designed to motivate young individuals to explore and express their insights on Biblical themes and environmental stewardship. “Our objective is to foster creativity, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of the Bible among the youth of Namibia. To achieve this, we are seeking collaboration from various stakeholders to broaden the reach and effectiveness of this initiative. As we honour these young talents, we reaffirm our dedication to cultivating skills, and encouraging meaningful dialogue through such programmes. Together, we can empower the youth, and inspire their voices to create a lasting impact throughout Namibia,” he stated. The competition, which is supported by Benchmark, Waltons, Walvis Bay Corridor Group and Prime Press, will feature different topics each year, and will be hosted in other parts of the country.
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