Creative Expression 2024 Winners: Celebrations and Reflections
- GSGC
- Oct 25, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 21
By a Supporter and First Time Volunteer Judge for the Contest
When the results had been tabulated, I felt the urge to revisit the writing and drawing of the three overall winners. The work of each had moved me during both the judging and voting. I wanted to spend quiet, unhurried time with their creations to better understand their motivation, their ideas, their passionate reflections on their themes. I wanted to do justice to their commitment to dedicating themselves to building a better world for all. It is for young women like these three that GSGC exists. They represent the voice of a new generation of Southern African youth.
In the winners’ creative efforts, I found ample evidence of the hours each had spent with GSGC Mentors. These dedicated women and men do not shy away from exposing their club members to serious issues affecting their communities: sustainability, gender equity, the power of one, the need to know oneself to be able to voice and then work towards realizing dreams for the future.
I invite you to spend quiet, unhurried time as I did reflecting on the winners’ themes, the depth of thought related to them, and the courageous and passionate expression of commitment to their chosen causes.
Overall Winner – Alumni Age Group: Preterite – iTHUBA Alumni Club, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
“If Not Me, Then Who?”
In a recorded message, overall Alumni Age Group winner Preteritethanked all those who voted for her. In closing, she offered some words of advice… “To all young girls out there, never doubt your creativity. Believe in yourself and shine. The sky’s the limit.”
Overall Winner – 13-19 Age Group: Farai – Sungomukoshi Girls Clubs, Livingstone, Zambia
“Behind Closed Doors”
“I’m still in shock and truly grateful… I was hesitant to even submit my work in the first place, but Mentor Kangwa’s encouragement… and Mentor Sunga’s guidance made all the difference... My artwork, “Behind closed doors”, was inspired by the resilience and strength of girls worldwide. This theme sparked a fire within me, and I poured my heart out into this piece… Going forward, my ultimate goal is to use art to make a lasting difference in my community.”~ Farai
Overall Winner – 7-12 Age Group: Ayibongwe – Tikobane Girls Club, Dete, Zimbabwe
“My Community, My Responsibility”
This is the second time that Ayibongwehas been named an overall winner in the 7-12 years old group. Wise beyond her 11 years, in 2023 she narrated from memory her carefully crafted poem “Education”, punctuating her views with hand and head gestures. This year, she tackled an equally challenging theme, “My Community. My Responsibility”, performing it flawlessly.
We also celebrate all of our Category Winners:
Age Group 7-12 years old:
Age Group 13-19 years old:
Performing Arts: Catherine – Matula Girls Club, South Luangwa, Zambia
Crafts: Belita – Believe Girls Clubs, Livingstone, Zambia
Essay: Nqobile – Sisonke Boys Club, Monde, Zimbabwe
Novice Drawing & Painting: Mirriam – Believe Girls Clubs, Livingstone, Zambia
Advanced Drawing & Painting: Albert – Friends of Change Boys Club, Livingstone, Zambia
Poetry & Spoken Word: Lenganji – Sungomukoshi Girls Club, Livingstone, Zambia
Some words and reflections from contestants and their families:
~ Catherine, Matula Girls Club, Zambia
~ Mirriam’s mother, Livingstone, Zambia
