For the sixth year running, the SACEE SHORT STORY NATIONAL COMPETITION, organised by the  SACEE Border Branch Committee, had the pleasure of inviting contributions from schools throughout South Africa.

The competition was open to:

                                      PRIMARY SCHOOLS:       Grade 6 and Grade 7 pupils. 

                                      HIGH SCHOOLS:               Grade 8, Grade 9, Grade 10 and Grade 11 pupils.

 The DEFINITION of a SHORT STORY is an event, (or a series of events), involving a single or small number of characters which develops towards a climax.

Stories could be about ANY TOPIC of choice. 

The LENGTH of the short story must be EXACTLY 100 WORDS – including the title.

ADJUDICATORS’ COMMENTS

STATISTICS – The competition received a total of 799 entries in the 2021 100-Word Short Story Competition. There were 564 entries from Primary Schools and 235 High School entrants.  A total of 8% received Gold and 15% received Silver Awards in the Primary Schools section. In the High Schools’ section, 9% received Gold and 13% received Silver Awards.

TOPICS – As usual, writers were invited to choose their own topics. There was a fair variety in choices. However, yet again many (especially in the Primary Schools’ section) were rather far-fetched and seemed to reflect the movies being watched. Lots of bloodshed, zombies and monsters appeared in numerous forests! Sadly (and maybe a reflection of our times), many essays centred on depression, death, dying and loneliness. It was, however, refreshing to note many very sincere and thoughtful stories too. Several who used a clever twist in the tale used humour very well.

DEFINITION – A short story should focus on one or a few characters, create an atmosphere and – most importantly – reach a climax or have a twist in the tale. Several stories were more anecdotes or commentaries.  Notably, a few entries were not, strictly speaking, “stories” would have made good introductory paragraphs to essays. This is an area which teachers may be able to address in class prior to submissions. It is strongly recommended that teachers actually teach the basic elements of the short story to their learners.

PLOT –  These varied – some were a little too predictable, some were extremely far-fetched, but many were very interesting and imaginative. It is a good idea for learners to select a theme and perhaps plan the ending before the begin writing. Again, there was a proliferation of learners who wrote “from the dead”. They might do better writing in the third person. It is vital that the ending is clever, striking or unexpected! Perhaps encourage students to focus on one particular emotion or scene.

PRESENTATION – The vast majority submitted typed entries, which made marking a pleasure.  Handwritten ones need to be written clearly and boldly as the copy of the few submitted was rather faint and therefore not easy to read.

LANGUAGE – The short story provides a stage for writers to exhibit skilled use and understanding of language and vocabulary. Again, there was a problem with muddled tense usage in many stories – good editing is vital. The over-usage of present participles instead of finite verbs was also a problem. Learners are reminded that contractions should count as two words and that hyphenated words count as one. “Suddenly” and “all of a sudden” are used far too often. Also, please remind learners that “every day” is not the same as “everyday”!

LENGTH – The SACEE 100-word Short Story Competition has been running for over 20 years, and one of its most important features is that all entries must be EXACTLY 100 words (including the title). This was adhered to very well with only three or four stories going over the word count.

OVERALL – Despite the minor problems this report has highlighted, it must be stressed that the SACEE 100-WORD SHORT STORY COMPETITION provides an invaluable platform for young creative writers. The enjoyment which the learners get from this exercise is apparent in their choice of topics and vocabulary. Please encourage editing, however. It is an excellent way to teach them how to be succinct yet creative.

SPONSORSHIP – We would like to be able to award prizes to the top entries in each grade, as a reward for truly outstanding work. (See the stories attached to this report for examples.)

If any teachers or parents out there know of a sponsor who would be prepared to donate R10 000. 00 (± R1 500 per grade) a year to this Competition, please supply us with details and we will contact them.

(Remember that SACEE is a registered NPO and donations to it qualify for tax exemption.)

Congratulations, and we look forward to your school’s entries next year.

For a breakdown of the statistics of the competition please click on the relevant link below:

• Primary Schools
• High Schools

2021 AWARD WINNERS

PRIMARY SCHOOLS

Capella House

• Gold Grade 7: Myrah Mperdempes

Collegiate Junior

• Silver Grade 7: Maria Pretorius

De La Salle Holy Cross

• Gold Grade 6: Kamilah Ferguson
• Silver Grade 6: Liam Sinclair, Hannah Thurman

George Randall primary

• Silver Grade 6: Riley Dickinson

Hudson Park Primary

• Gold Grade 7: Luke Jevon Botha, Timothy Daniels, Isabella Tanguy, Chelsy Thorne
• Silver Grade 7: Emihle Cobo, Shayla Dhanya, Mbano Gqoboka, Eva Moore
• Gold Grade 6: Jordan Truter
• Silver Grade 6: Kairav Fakir, Unikah Lukozi, Mark Harman, Sarah-Jane Mouton

Kingswood College

• Gold Grade 6: Tyler-Star Hillier
• Silver Grade 6: Diya Harjeven

Loretto Primary

• Gold Grade 6: Kiara Naicker

Merrifield College

• Silver Grade 7: Aerin du Preez, Lilianga Mboniswa
• Gold Grade 6: Rebekah du Preez
• Silver Grade 6: Joshua Talbot

Montrose Primary

• Gold Grade 7: Dimpho Mtengu
• Silver Grade 7: Mia Nupen, Manya Saxenga
• Gold Grade 6: Ryan Currie
• Silver Grade 6: Robert Mitchell

Oakhill

• Gold Grade 7: Nash Lederle
• Gold Grade 6: Rafael Carrera
• Silver Grade 6: Rafael Carrera

Nizamiye Primary and High

• Silver Grade 7: Emaan Afzal
• Silver Grade 6: Muhammad Asmal

Our Lady of Fatima

• Silver Grade 6: Georgia Fear, Layla Grimbeek, Langalethu Mbanga, Emma Naidoo

Parkview Senior

• Gold Grade 7: Husna Gouse, Emma Morton-Allais, Cara Moore, Grace Moyo, Maleehah Patel (2), Sinaye Shabalala

• Silver Grade 7: Vincent Burkhalter, Husna Gouse (3), Bin-Yameen Hadjee,
• Vuyokazi Nosenga, Maleeha Patel, Yatish Ramjathan

PEPPS Polokwane

• Silver Grade 7: Kea Mnisi, Lethabo Magosholo, Tshebedi Nkgobuthe, Toka Rathupetsone
• Gold Grade 6: Andreia Afouro
• Silver Grade 6: Ankonisaho Makwarela, Tshifhiwa Moluvhedzi

Riebeek College

• Gold Grade 7: Mila Ganjana, Nerisha Ramsamy, Zara Rockman
• Silver Grade 7: Zara Rockman, Amkitha Stuurman

Rustenberg Girls’ Junior

• Gold Grade 7: Chella Petrie (2), Amy-Rose Coultridge
• Silver Grade 7: Farah Allie, Alice Bekker, Kate Basson, Amelie Fife, Amber Frielick, Paige Leigh, Chella Petrie

Star College Cape Town

• Gold Grade 7: Zarah Adams
• Silver Grade 7: Salma Parak

St Andrew’s Prep

• Silver Grade 7: Harry Horwood, Kevin Turk
• Silver Grade 7: Steffan Eksteen, Daniel Short, Callum Spring, Jay-D White
• Gold Grade 6: Kwanda Kwezi
• Silver Grade 6: Luthando Hlalempini, Joshua Munton Jackson, Benjamin Warren, Greg White

St John’s DSG Pietermaritzburg

• Silver Grade 6: Zia Karrim

St Michael’s School for Girls

• Gold Grade 7: Reatlehile Nene
• Silver Grade 7: Thato Pokela, Zenani Fish
• Silver Grade 6: Tatum Lawrence

Stirling Primary

• Gold Grade 7: Usenalo Bokoda, Laekyn Durant, Caitlyn Mtembu, Oscar van Seumeren
• Silver Grade 7: Amahle Bacela, James Badenhorst, Olivia Goetsch, Pranav Jayakrishnan,
• Charisma Lurwengu, Dibora Moges, Hannah Pekeur, Janey-Heather Wood
• Gold Grade 6: Uyanda Qweleka
• Silver Grade 6: Lathi-Thaa Biyongo, Catherine Davel, Uyanda Qweleka, Martin Vine

Unicorn Preparatory School

• Silver Grade 7: Lambani Gondwe, Mika Jones, Karja Kruger, Angel Maponyama, Marubini

Mphaphuli, Irma van Wyk

• Silver Grade 6: Siya Malatji, Sefularo Masedi, Emma Stewart, Teya Zanetic

Yellowwoods Prep

• Silver Grade 7: Lelani Ndumndum

HIGH  SCHOOLS

Ashton International College Benoni

• Silver Grade 8: Kiana Teixeira
• Gold Grade 9: Simran Bisnath, Jenna Goebbel
• Silver Grade 9: Anya Helmbold, Keira Straussner
• Gold Grade 10: Leigh-Ann Hampson, Sydney Stuart
• Silver Grade 10: Isabella Prinsloo, Dipti Ramguthy
• Silver Grade 11: Lehlohomolo Nale

Beacon College

• Silver Grade 9: Londekile Manzini

Bridge House

• Silver Grade 8: Maya Ethelston

Cambridge High School

• Silver Grade 10: Lisakhanye Lufuso
• Silver Grade 11: Tristan Hoffman, Lee-Anne Schlemmer

Clarendon High School for Girls

• Gold Grade 8: Amara Odugwu
• Gold Grade 11: Chantel Obi
• Silver Grade 11: Chantel Obi

Clifton College

• Gold Grade 8: Suhayl Peer (2)

Cornwall Hill College

• Gold Grade 8: Zander Bosman, Jared Hardy
• Silver Grade 8: Madison Kranz, Chloe Rein

Fields College

• Gold Grade 11: Simon Daya

Lilyfontein High

• Silver Grade 9: Kylie Holmes
• Silver Grade 10: Khanyi Aliber, Daniel Goosen, Hope Mnisi, Catherine Reeves

Merrifield College

• Silver Grade 11: Chris Eva, Noah Honey

Pinelands High

• Silver Grade 8: Zara Desai, Joseph Gibbon
• Gold Grade 10: Jehaan Davids, Taaraa Lakay, Jenna Lavigne, Thanaa Scott
• Silver Grade 10: Emma Loggenberg

Nizamiye Primary and High

• Silver Grade 8: Raahil Dadabhay

Sacred Heart College:

• Silver Grade 9: Isabella Ecksteen
• Silver Grade 11: Jemi Luzinga

Springs GHS

• Gold Grade 11: Makaita Chivonivoni

St Michael’s School for Girls

• Gold Grade 8: Boemo Selo,Jeanine Sirsawy
• Gold Grade 10: Mosa Phakoe
• Silver Grade 10: Lucia Heilbron, Thato Masithela, Anathi Mopete
• Gold Grade 11: Brooklyn Bosman, Innez Ruiters

Star College Cape Town

• Gold Grade 11: Ameera Abraham
• Silver Grade 11: Aaliyah Hanslo

Stirling High School

• Gold Grade 8: Suzanne Strauss
• Silver Grade 10: Alannah Laden (2)
• Silver Grade 11: Emma-Lee Stevens

Wynberg Boys’ High School

• Silver Grade 9: Linga Chigona
• Gold Grade 11: Jordan Cridland

Wynberg Girls’ High School

• Gold Grade 8: Shriya Parbhoo
• Silver Grade 8: Isabella Smuts
• Gold Grade 10: Esha Parbhoo
• Silver Grade 10: Daneen Fortune, Kouthar Salien, Angela (Juliette) White

PRIMARY SCHOOL TOP GOLD AWARDS

THE LAST LIGHT by LUKE JEVON BOTHA (GRADE 7: HUDSON PARK PRIMARY)

There were seconds left. The light began to dim gradually. It was as if the world had stopped and fate had chosen a side. In a last hope of desperation, I searched for a way out. There was only regret and panic. It felt as if the world was slowing, but the timer would not stop. I tried my hardest, but there was no halting it. Thoughts of fear and loss flew through my mind. The last light faded and hope was lost. Then suddenly, in the corner of my room, I spotted my elusive phone charger!

BANG! BANG! By TYLER-STAR HILLLIER (GRDE 6: KINGSWOOD COLLEGE)

Bang! She shut the door. I trembled as she moved closer to me. Sitting in the chair, I could barely hear what she was saying, my eyes fixed only on the gun clutched in her hand. My legs trembled; my heart beat faster and faster. I could barely breathe. The fear was killing me!  “Just do it!” I said in my head, “Just get it done!”  I couldn’t take it anymore. “JUST DO IT!” I shouted.  Then BANG! She pulled the trigger, and wow, I must say I love the new diamond earrings she popped into my ears!

SOCCER DISASTER by REBEKAH DU PREEZ (GRADE 6: MERRIFIELD PREPARATORY)

We were losing him fast; his SAT’s levels were dropping by the second. “Hurry!” shouted the nurse. “We’re losing him!” shouted the doctor. “He’s on his way out!” shouted an intern, panicking more than ever. His heartbeat was low. There was mud smeared around his round face. “Get the ventilator quickly. We can’t let him go!” shouted the doctor. “I can’t find the ventilator – a pump will have to do,” said the nurse. The air rushed in, but it was too late. “Oh well, we’ll just have to buy another soccer ball for today’s match,” said the doctor.

CLIMBING CLIFFS by CAITLYN MTHEMBU (GRADE 7: STIRLING PRIMARY)

My legs are cramping: my tummy’s growling angrily. I haven’t eaten since breakfast! The ground is terrifyingly far away from the cliff face. I scream, but no-one hears. Suddenly, I hear the noise of the rope cords snapping. “Oh no!” I whisper. Every time I breathe, my chest tightens. I cannot bring my numb feet to the cliff to climb. I hear the director call, “CUT!”

This is the fifth time they have made me play someone dangling from a cliff. I had better be well-paid for this role!

EXPLORING THROUGH PAGES by CHELSY THORNE (GRADE7: HUDSON PARK PRIMARY)

I began my search surrounded by pages, avidly determined to get to the bottom of things. I travelled through time, witnessing several events in history, first at a market in Timbuktu, crowded by a haggle of vendors. Now in Greece, entertained by the first Olympic Games. Soon, I arrived in Egypt, easily recognisable, mainly due to the picturesque Pyramids. I felt paranoid and perplexed; my search wasn’t complete. I was about to hoist the white flag when I spotted it! Tickled pink, I left the library. I had found the perfect book to continue my exploration.

ORPHANAGE OF CARDS by NERISHA RAMSAMY (GRADE 7: RIEBEEK COLLEGE)

The sounds of subtle silence echo in my eardrums as I tiptoe out of the orphanage dormitory. I’ve got all my belongings; well, the music box mom gave me, a couple of dimes I stole from Connor and a ragged old dress from gran. I climb through the battered old window in the corridor, my bare feet tingling on the gritty gravel. I silently wave farewell to the orphanage as I run. While I wander into the night, I think to myself: “They won’t miss me, I’m just a card in the deck of terror.”

HIGH SCHOOL TOP GOLD AWARDS

RED by SUHAYL PEER (GRADE 8 CLIFTON COLLEGE)

Red was her favourite colour, but mine was blue. We were from two different worlds, but my heart still belonged to her. I loved to paint pictures and she loved her music. She’s the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen, and I’m nothing to her. I always will be.

I wanted her to like me so that night, I decided to paint something for her. I took my brush and pressed it hard against the canvas. The brush left deep strokes of red which dripped off slowly, only this time, the brush was a blade; the canvas, my forearm.

CALLING DAD by BOEMO SELLO (GRADE 8: ST MICHAEL’S SCHOOL FOR GIRLS)

I call my dad once a year on the day he died. Five times I have pulled up “Daddy” in my contacts. Five times I have pressed the phone icon. And five times he has not picked up. I don’t give him much time. I tap the disconnect button after the second or third ring. “Call ended” flashes across the screen and he is gone.

Someday, someone might answer. Someone who is not my dad. Someone whose number this is now. That someone might call back. And I would tell that person whose number he has now.

A THOUSAND CRANES by JEANINE SIRSAWY (GRADE 8: ST MICHAEL’S SCHOOL FOR GIRLS)

I folded desperately; my hands were stiff; aching, folding as if they were covered in hardening cement. Papercuts drew lines across my fingers, marking the tedious hours I had spent folding origami cranes.  It was something I had read about online: one thousand paper cranes for one wish, a popular practice in Japanese culture. It was stupid, I know, but I couldn’t bring myself to give up the thought, the thought that I could fold the growing monster in my chest away…the thought that maybe for a thousand paper cranes, I could wish the cancer away.

HIM by THANAA SCOTT (GRADE 10: PINELANDS HIGH SCHOOL)

He and I were grossly perfect for each-other. At least, that is what people said. I was completely enchanted by him and his promises. He made falling feel like flying, but that was before I fell into the abysmal black hole of his lies. Love does make you blind, but my eyes are now wide open. All the things we did meant nothing. Now he is running because I know the truth. Step by step, I catch up to him. He cannot run anymore: at least not in his grave. He cannot run anymore: it is what he deserves.

THE IMPOSTER by SIMRAN DAYA (GRADE 11: FIELD’S COLLEGE)

Cold sweat, a nose spewing out micro-particles and a cough that could sweep nations away. My body, a vessel once owned by me, has been taken over by forces that do not belong here. In the distance, I hear a murmur in a language I don’t recognise. I’m led into a pristine white room, an unfamiliar environment. Blinking twice, I ask myself, “have I been abducted by aliens or am I about to die?”

Suddenly, an alien pops up just inches from my face. My nose is then invaded by an unknown instrument. Results in two to four days.  Covid-19, the alien in disguise!

HER COMFORTING SECRET by LEIGH-ANN HAMPSON (GRADE 10 – ASHTON INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE)

She has friends, but finds no comfort in talking. There is one thing though, one thing she finds comfort in, one thing she looks forward to in the car ride home. She paints, but not in the way you’d think. She only has one colour. She paints with silver: it comes out red. It eventually dries white. Her unlimited canvas must always stay hidden under long sleeves. If someone were to see her paintings, her brushes would be taken away. Her only source of comfort would be stolen, so it must remain a secret – her comforting secret.

NEW IDENTITY by AMARA ODUGWU (GRADE 8: CLARENDON GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL)

It’s funny how six minutes is all it takes to end a life with your bare hands. She never deserved what she has had. She’s dead now… the perfect, dazzlingly rich husband, mommy and daddy’s blindingly one-sided love and affection, the several storeys-high-mansion. None of it. I slipped her cold, limp frame out of her dress and adorned it, completed with her pure marquise-cut diamond wedding band. Strategically, I placed my wallet and driver’s licence by her pale, naked and cleverly-staged corpse. Not a soul would blink an eye. We have the same face after all.