Liwa Primary School from Nyanga has won the Growsmart literacy competition, beating 160 other schools in the Western Cape finals, which were recently held at the V&A Waterfront.
Despite being located in this notoriously dangerous neighbourhood, Liwa Primary School’s hard-working and talented team rose above the difficult circumstance in the community and excelled to win a new iPad learning lab worth R350,000 to further improve education at the school. The top team’s members also won R20,000 each to further their education and their mentor won R10,000.
Winning team members and mentors in all categories were rewarded with prizes totalling over R500,000.
Literacy
Liwa Primary School, Nyanga
Team: Unamandla Mqaleni, Tshiamo Phago and Alizwa Ntolosi
Mentor: Andrew S Gumindoga
Marconi Beam Primary School, Danoon
Team: Owami Ngqwebo, Yolanda Valashiya and Sumbane Inathi
Mentor: Masibulele Ngcobozi
Northpine Primary School, Brackenfell
Team: Payton Kotze, Ashlyn Solomons, and Motheo Morwasetlha
Mentor: Nicole Williams
Mathematics
Spineview Primary School, Mitchells Plein
Team: Haydan Millward, Cheslyn Rose and Lakeisha Jantjies
Mentor: Teresa Adams
St Augustine’s Primary School, Wynberg
Team: Jordan-Lee Hattingh, Fahid Amir Hassan and Brent Stockenstroom
Mentor: Celeste Ruiters
Blomvlei Primary School, Hanover Park
Team: Myrsini Cyster, Alisha Barnes and Daylene Van Dieman
Mentor: Dean Samson
Science
Blackheath Primary, Blue Downs
Team: Leila Graaff, Brendon Lewis and Caiden Adams
Mentor: Mercia Fourie
Balvenie Primary, Elsies River
Team: Beyonce Pipers, Liam Swartz and Audrey Absalom
Mentor: Ursula De Villiers
Floreat Primary, Retreat
Team: Gugu Mbhele, Malachi Asia and Simamkele Dekeni
Mentor: Kristi Jooste
Debating
Intshayelelo Primary, Khayelitsha
Team: Lelethu Diamond, Jwili Aphelele, and Milani Mraji
Mentor: Nolundi Mbaba
Lantana Primary, Mitchells Plein
Team: Amran Soeker, Raheemah Brown and Tamlin Kannemeyer
Mentor: Jamie Kiewiet
Story writing
Lithaluthu Gida of Belmore Primary, Hanover Park
Mentor: Charnell Hector
Diego Esau of Blackheath Primary, Blue Downs
Mentor: Madelaine Swartz
Nonhlanhla Mpetha of Intshayelelo Primary, Khayelitsha
Mentor: Nolundi Mbaba
Most Creative: Tinevimbo Meki of Factretorn Primary, Maitland
Mentor: Callan J Lewin