UN75 Essay Competition Writers Receive their Prizes

UN Resident Coordinator, Ms. Nathalie Ndongo-Seh has presented prizes to the top six writers of the UN75 essay competition run by the UN in collaboration with The Times of Eswatini.

The essay competition was part of the UN75 dialogues initiative aimed at gathering voices from all people across the globe, especially marginalised groups, on the theme “the future we want, the UN we need.”

Ms. Ndongo-Seh, who was the chief judge in the competition, presented the prizes, which included a laptop, tablet, smartphones and gift vouchers for Woolworths, at a ceremony held at the UN House in Mbabane on 28 September 2020. Other competition judges included Mr. Martin Dlamini, Managing Editor of The Times of Eswatini; Ms. Margaret Thwala-Tembe, Head of Office for UNFPA;  Ms. Alice Akunga, UNICEF Representative.

The competition was open to children and young people between the ages of 10 and 24 years, who were asked to share their views and suggestions in the following categories:

• 10 – 16 years: What kind of world would you like to see by 2045? Tell us about your dream world for 2045.
• 17 – 24 years: What are the main challenges and obstacles towards achieving a peaceful and prosperous world, and how can we get there?

Lungiselwe Mbingo (18) from Waterford Kamhlaba School was the overall winner in the 17-24 years category while Hlelelwe Ginindza (16) from Baha’i High School was the overall winner in the 10-16 years category.

Lethokuhle Dludlu (13) from Sifundzani High School and Sizolwethu Hlongwane (15) from Baha’i High School were in second and third place respectively in the 10-16 years category. Samkeliso Hlatshwayo (21) and Muzi Dlamini (24) both from the University of Eswatini received second and third positions respectively in the senior category.

Ms. Ndongo-Seh encouraged the young participants to dream big and wild for a brighter future for the generations to come and to continue to speak up, make their voices heard as they are the future.

“With visions, views and suggestions like yours, world leaders and each of us may rebuild and shape a greener, prosperous, fairer, more equal, brighter and better future in which no-one is left behind,” she said.