Johannesburg – The first prize in the Bokamoso Essay Writing Competition went to bright Soweto schoolboy Tebogo Bulla who walked away with R8 500 in cash.
Bulla’s prize, awarded last week on Thursday, (31 October 2024), also included R125 000 for his school – Curtis Nkondo School of Specialisation (SOS).
Curtis Nkondo SOS is based in the heart of South Africa in Soweto – a township synonymous with resilience because it has overcome a lot of adversity.
The school, located in the Emdeni section of Soweto, specialises in Math, Science, ICT, Engineering, Commerce, and Entrepreneurship.
Through decades of change, the streets of Emdeni have echoed with footsteps of activists, artists, everyday heroes, and recently aspiring academics like Bulla, a Grade 11 learner.
Curtis Nkondo SOS is aiming at nothing but excellence, hence an entrance test is written as per admission requirement, and this is so that only the crop of the cream gets selected for this prestigious school.
Among the crop of the creams is Tebogo Bulla, a remarkable learner whose journey exemplifies hard work and determination.
Bulla has several accolades to his name, and these have made him an inspirational role model to other learners.
He is currently the RCL deputy President, Eskom Expo Reginal Silver Medalist, District Debate best speaker, 2023 Learner Focus Quiz (2nd position), District Athletics – 100m (2nd position).
Apart from the recent cash price from (Knight Piesold) Bokamoso Essay Writing Competition, Bulla has 16 Academic Performance Certificates.
Curtis Nkondo SOS’s school principal Lindiwe Ndzala expressed that she was so proud of all the learners who had participated in the competition.
She said on top of winning the prize, all the Grade 11 learners, who had participated in the essay writing competition, will have a 50% discount for their matric program in 2025.
The main winner Bulla would be given a full discount for his matric program.
Commenting on his prize, Bulla said: “This win has made me feel empowered and encouraged more than ever. And the best part is that I don’t get to celebrate alone, but rather with my family, friends, and school, it really means a lot to us.”
Bulla said he looks forward to a brighter future of prosperity, “academically and personally”.
“As reflected in the essay that Bulla wrote, one can confidently utter that amid substance abuse, teenage pregnancy, school dropouts, and youth unemployment lives an optimistic young man who sees himself striving in SA,” said a teacher at the school.
“This is a clear indication that his teachers’ efforts have not been in vain for all these years.”
As a result of Bulla’s winning essay, Curtis Nkondo SOS is confident of at least one distinction in 2025 in the English Home Language.
Bulla has become their beacon of hope.
“It’s definitely not going to be easy, but if there’s one thing this essay competition has taught me that nothing is impossible,” said Bulla.
