The competition is a project of the Department of Basic Education, with support from South African History Online (SAHO). Each year, learners are invited to enter the competition by producing an oral history research project that investigates unique aspects of their local history and heritage.
This competition forms part of the department’s contribution to the strengthening of History as a subject of choice in schools and is named after the first Nobel Peace laureate South of Sahara, Nkosi Albert John Luthuli, who apart from his fight for total emancipation of the oppressed, was also an educationist of note, having taken up his first teaching assignment at Adams College, where he completed his Higher Teachers’ Training Course.
The provincial elimination rounds culminated in the finals held at the Department of Basic Education’s Sol Plaatje House from 29 to 30 September 2012. The winners were announced at a gala evening following an extensive adjudication process.
Johnson, now in Grade 11, won first prize for her presentation on The Lives of Courage: Unsung Heroes and Heroines category on Mr Anthony George. Mr George is a disabled man from Ms Johnson’s area in Cape Town who does exceptional development work for his community.
“I chose him [Anthony George] because he does so much for the community, it’s unbelievable,” said Johnson. He is involved in community upliftment and holds workshops for disabled youth in the area and is an inspiration to me.”
“This is the first time I entered the competition and there were many times where I just wanted to give it all up, because it was just too difficult to manage my time. But I was inspired by all the learners who continued to work at their projects and here we are today.”
The other winners in the learner category were Luke Kerwin Buys from the Western Cape who came second and Thuto Gaasenwe from the North West who bagged third prize.
There were a total of four topics that learners had to choose from and these included: The history of my school, The history of my community, and Unsung heroes and heroines. Since 2012 is the year of the centenary of the liberation movement, there was an additional topic that covered the centenary theme.
Learners were asked, as part of their oral history project, to pick a specific period in the liberation timeline and gather stories from ordinary on their local contribution to the liberation struggle.
Educators are an important group in this competition as they guide the learners through the formal research process. Thus, in the educators section of the competition, educators presented portfolios outlining the process they followed in introducing the oral history project to the classroom.
In this category, the first prize when to an educator from the Northern Cape Ms Thereza Raman, with Mr Chandish Babullal from KwaZulu-Natal and Mr Morwamohube Masemola from Limpopo receiving second and third prize respectively.
Speaking at the gala awards evening, Deputy Minister of Basic Education Mr Enver Surty said it was fitting that the competition was held in September, which is Heritage Month. Also, as part of the ruling party’s centenary program, the Deputy Minister lectured that it was fitting to stage the event in September since this is the month dedicated to the life of the late President-General of the African National Congress, Nkosi Albert Luthuli.
“Through this competition we celebrate the life of Chief Albert Luthuli and his contribution to South Africa’s to South Africa’s equality and freedom,” said the Deputy Minister.
“However, history is not only about our heroes, but also about everyday people in our communities. Their names may not appear in the history books but they have made a massive contribution to get us where we are today.”
