Application Deadline: February 29, 2024
In celebration of Black History Month and 30 years of South African democracy, the U.S. Embassy in South Africa has announced the launch the “I HAVE A DREAM – WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE” essay competition for South African youth aged 16-20.
Requirements
- South African youth aged 16-20 years old are invited to write an essay of 400 words or less that relates to their dreams and vision of a positive future for South Africa, and a video of them reading that essay. In reflecting on the experience of 30 years of the challenges and successes of democracy, the essay should tap into the hopes for what the country could look towards in the next 30 years.
- The text and video should be submitted by email, including a private YouTube or other shareable video link of the individual reading their essay as though they were addressing an audience.
Prize
- The top 9 nationwide winners (1 from each province) will be invited to a final event in Pretoria in mid-April, where they will participate in a live essay speech event with their peers, with Ambassador Reuben E. Brigety II and other U.S. and South African officials and attendees.
- From among the 9 finalists, the U.S. Embassy will award three top prizes at the conclusion of the final performance including a MacBook computer for first place.
- Winners of the 2nd and 3rd places will be awarded an iPad and an iPad Mini, respectively. Winning essays and videos will be featured on the U.S. Embassy’s social media accounts. All finalists will receive certificates from the U.S. Embassy in recognition of their efforts.
Contestants are reminded that by participating in the contest and uploading content to YouTube or other platform, they are bound by the platform’s Terms of Service and any agreements contained therein. Once a video is uploaded to the chosen platform, it is considered a final submission and may not be modified or replaced. Individual contestants may submit only one essay and one corresponding video.
Submissions must be in English, although language accuracy will not be the principal selection criterion for finalists.
Application Procedure:
- Submit your essay and video link on here by 11:59 p.m. Pretoria time on Feb. 29, 2024 to be considered
- The nine finalists will be invited to Gauteng for a live final event on April 17,2024 in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of South African Democracy; the Grand Prize winners will be announced at that time.
A jury composed of South African and U.S. judges will select the 9 finalists. Videos will be judged on effectiveness in communicating the importance and unique takes on the topic, as well as what the author stands for.
The 9 finalists will be invited to Gauteng to present their essays orally and the top 3 winners will be selected by an expert panel.
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Essay Competition