Zimbabwean Students Shine In The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secondary Schools Essay Competition

Zimbabwean students, Diana Kawendu and Gerald Chimbga, scooped the first and second prizes, respectively, in the 2007 SADC Secondary Schools Essay Competition. The two shrugged off stiff competition to land the best prizes of US $ 1 500 for the best essay and US$1 000 for the first runner up. The third prize went to a student from Tanzania. The three winners were presented with their prizes at the SADC Summit held in Lusaka, Zambia, from 16 to 17 August 2007.

Since its establishment nine years ago, the SADC Secondary School Essay Competition has made great strides in raising awareness among youths about the activities and programmes of the SADC. 10 member states, namely Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe participated in this year's competition.

Zimbabwe's winning essay focused on the causes of poverty in the SADC region and proffered suggestions on how the poverty can be ameliorated and, eventually, be eliminated.