The National Letter Writing competition ended yesterday, as His Excellency the Deputy Prime Minister presented the winners with their prizes in the presence of Cabinet Ministers, senior Government Officials, Development Partners, the Children’s Consortium, teachers, and students. This was a collaborative effort between ESCCOM, UNICEF Eswatini, EPTC, Macmillan as well as Premier Eswatini, and World Vision.

It was supported by the Ministry of Education and Training and the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs. Young people from across Eswatini wrote to global and local leaders, imploring them to act and suggesting solutions to the climate crisis. Awareness of this important issue has been raised, amongst young people and parents.

A total of 957 entries were received for the National letter writing competition and 15 students were honored during the prize presentation.

• Sthembile Gumedze (Mhlangatane Nazarene Primary School) won the 9-12 years Siswati category;
• Khulile Dlamini (Nhlambeni High School) won the 13-18 Siswati years category,
  Shaggo Mohammed (Ekwetsembeni Special
  School) won the special needs category;
• Ngcebo Future Sihlabela (Gundvwini Primary School) won the 9 -12 years English category; and
• Simile Makhubu (St Marks High School) won the 13 -18 English category.
• The schools that submitted the highest number of entries were St Joseph's Primary School, Sifundzani Primary, Sifundzani High School, and Bhekinkhosi Nazarine Primary School.

Congratulations once again to all the winners! A big thank you to all staff for again supporting this year’s initiative, and being true ambassadors in creating awareness, encouraging participation, and answering questions in your households and communities.