EISA Hands Up for Democracy Competition - Awards Ceremony

20 July 2007, Women's Prison, Constitution Hill

Press release

They painted, they drew and poured their hearts out - all in the name of democracy.

Nearly two thousand children across South Africa entered the Hands Up for Democracy competition, jointly sponsored by EISA and the Department of Education. After weeks of judging the astounding quality of entries the successful entrants were honoured at an award ceremony on Friday 20th July 2007. To honour these achievements the Minister of Education, Mrs Naledi Pandor, handed out the prizes and addressed the gathering.

The competition invited school learners in the Intermediate, Senior and FET phases at schools countrywide to make submissions to encourage learners to become active democratic citizens in a united, caring South Africa.

The topics for each phase were:

• Intermediate: Democracy means different things to different people. What does it mean to you?
• Senior: Human rights only make sense if they are practiced together with responsibility. A Bill of Human Rights should include a Bill of Responsibilities.
• FET: June 1976 is not my past, it belongs to my parents. I write my own history. What belongs to me is the new South Africa.

Learners were encouraged to present their responses to the topic either in written form or as an art work.

A publication has been produced showcasing the winning essays and art entries. It can be downloaded in PDF format.

Let's celebrate the efforts of these talented young, democratic South Africans! Hands Up for Democracy!

This event made possible with the generous support of Irish Aid.