AN ASPIRANT praise singer from the former Transkei is basking in glory after scooping the overall prize in a tightly contested national competition about the importance of water and sanitation.
Anathi Magqazolo, 14, from the New Homes settlement in Qumbu, clinched the overall prize when she beat her peers from all nine provinces who took part in the 2014 Youth Water Summit competition. The government-sponsored competition was held in Boksburg, Gauteng, between June 29 and July 5.
Not only did the Grade 7 pupil win a trophy and take home prize money of R6 000, her school, Qumbu Village Junior Secondary School (JSS), also receives a fully-equipped media centre and a water pump.
The annual Youth Water Summit is organised by the Department of Water Affairs to create awareness about the importance of preserving water and to promote personal hygiene.
The competition involves poetry, drama, music, and poster design.
Qumbu JSS principal Busi Mdliva, who spoke to the Daily Dispatch shortly after landing at the Mthatha Airport on Saturday with Magqazolo and two of her schoolmates, said Magqazolo’s powerful delivery of her poem reduced Deputy Minister of Water Affairs Pamela Tshwete to tears.
Magqazolo has a younger brother, Hlalanathi, who is three years old. Her single mother, Nozuko Magqazolo, 36, works as a supermarket merchandiser in Qumbu.
She was “over the moon” with her daughter’s achievement.
Nonkosi Magqogqo, a teacher at neighbouring Cingco Junior Secondary School in Qumbu, was the young girl’s mentor. Magqogqo was selected as mentor in line with the competition’s rules which state that the previous winners of the competition must mentor the next contestants. She said Magqazolo’s victory was a shining example of children who rose above all odds to reach their potential.
“At first, she looked shy because of her poor background but she has always insisted that she would win,” Magqogqo said. “She loves what she does and she is going places. As teachers we are not only grooming professionals but unearthing talent”. —
Transkei pupil scoops national water and sanitation award
Anathi Magqazolo, 14, from the New Homes settlement in Qumbu, clinched the overall prize when she beat her peers from all nine provinces who took part in the 2014 Youth Water Summit competition. The government-sponsored competition was held in Boksburg, Gauteng, between June 29 and July 5.
Not only did the Grade 7 pupil win a trophy and take home prize money of R6 000, her school, Qumbu Village Junior Secondary School (JSS), also receives a fully-equipped media centre and a water pump.
The annual Youth Water Summit is organised by the Department of Water Affairs to create awareness about the importance of preserving water and to promote personal hygiene.
The competition involves poetry, drama, music, and poster design.
Qumbu JSS principal Busi Mdliva, who spoke to the Daily Dispatch shortly after landing at the Mthatha Airport on Saturday with Magqazolo and two of her schoolmates, said Magqazolo’s powerful delivery of her poem reduced Deputy Minister of Water Affairs Pamela Tshwete to tears.
Magqazolo has a younger brother, Hlalanathi, who is three years old. Her single mother, Nozuko Magqazolo, 36, works as a supermarket merchandiser in Qumbu.
She was “over the moon” with her daughter’s achievement.
Nonkosi Magqogqo, a teacher at neighbouring Cingco Junior Secondary School in Qumbu, was the young girl’s mentor. Magqogqo was selected as mentor in line with the competition’s rules which state that the previous winners of the competition must mentor the next contestants. She said Magqazolo’s victory was a shining example of children who rose above all odds to reach their potential.
“At first, she looked shy because of her poor background but she has always insisted that she would win,” Magqogqo said. “She loves what she does and she is going places. As teachers we are not only grooming professionals but unearthing talent”. —
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