Siyambonga Makhoba from Empangeni High School secured third place in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Essay Competition for secondary schools in 2026.
The competition brought together students, undergraduates, and media representatives from SADC member states. According to SADC, this provided participants with an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge, creativity, and understanding of regional issues, while simultaneously encouraging greater engagement in the SADC integration agenda.
Participants were required to submit essays of up to 1000 words on the topic: 'How can SADC achieve industrialization, transform agriculture, and transition energy for a sustainable future?'
Regional Recognition
SADC noted that the competition encourages youth to analyze key regional development priorities and propose ideas for building a more sustainable and viable future for South Africa. In the secondary school category, the regional winner was Thulani Mahambire from Zimbabwe, second place went to Dirse Carmem Francisco from Mozambique, and third place was won by Siyambonga Makhoba from Empangeni High School.
In the higher education essay competition, students could explore the history of SADC and examine how the founders' lessons can help solve contemporary problems.
Challenges Facing SADC
Participants in this competition were required to write essays of up to 4000 words on the topic: 'Compare and contrast the challenges faced by SADC founders in the 20th century with current regional issues. What lessons from the founders can be applied to today's dilemmas?'
The winner in this category was Vuyelwa Karabo Simelane from Eswatini, second place was taken by Yamikani Bottomani from Malawi, and third place was achieved by Liezel Bernies Mujoro from Namibia. SADC emphasized that such work demonstrates the importance of youth participation, informed public discourse, and professional journalism in advancing regional integration, cooperation, and sustainable development across Southern Africa. The next competition is scheduled for November 2026.
Department of Education Comments
The Minister of Education for KwaZulu-Natal, Sipho Hlomuka, congratulated Makhoba on her outstanding achievement. He noted that this success reflects the intellectual potential of students and the importance of developing critical thinking, research, innovation, and academic excellence in schools.
Hlomuka stated: 'This is a significant achievement. Her ability to thoughtfully approach the complex issue of regional development demonstrates the depth of talent in our schools. We are pleased to see young people thinking beyond the classroom and proposing ideas on issues that directly affect the future of our region. This is the kind of critical and forward-thinking mindset that our education system must continue to cultivate.'
He also expressed gratitude to teachers, school leadership, and families for supporting academic growth and unlocking student potential. Hlomuka urged other students to utilize opportunities that strengthen their writing, research, analysis, and critical thinking skills, as such platforms allow youth to gain confidence and make meaningful contributions to societal problems. He added: 'This achievement is a powerful reminder that when young minds are allowed to think boldly, write confidently, and engage with the challenges of their region, they can be heard far beyond the classroom.'