2024 African Democracy Essay Award for Undergraduates in South African universities
Contest Highlights
Entries are now open for the 2024 Democracy Essay Award for Undergraduates in South African universities.
The Centre for Research on Democracy (CREDO) at Stellenbosch University is pleased to announce the third edition of our annual essay writing initiative – the African Democracy Essay Award 2024.
About the African Democracy Essay Award
The African Democracy Essay Award 2024 is open to undergraduate students from any South African university, including foreign nationals.
Participation is the ideal opportunity for students considering further studies, or a career in academia, policymaking, governance, development, or law.
The South African office of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) is one of the partners in this initiative.
Eligibility
Undergraduate university students from across South Africa are invited to submit an essay which addresses a key issue relevant to the experience of democracy on the African continent.
Participants are encouraged to engage critically with the topic provided to better understand the African political landscape as it unfolds on both domestic and international fronts.
Prizes and Benefits
Final submissions are followed by a rigorous assessment by CREDO’s panel of judges – chaired by the Centre’s Director, Professor Ursula van Beek of Stellenbosch University – after which three winning essays are chosen.
Each of the three winners receives an honorarium (R5 000, R3 000 or R2 000 respectively) for the publication of their essay on a partnering platform, as well as an invaluable addition to their CV.
By participating in this national initiative, students will thus not only involve themselves in the debates and ideas at the heart of contemporary democracy but will also have the opportunity to improve their research and writing skills and, in the process, produce high-quality work that can be showcased to potential employers and graduate schools.
How to Apply
For more information, interested participants are encouraged to visit the initiative’s website and read the official writing brief.
Final submissions close on the 12th of October 2024. Any queries can be directed to Sonia Twongyeirwe at [email protected].
