Schools across South Africa closed early in March 2020, following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and all Lawhill boarders returned home to their families across South Africa and Namibia.
In May 2020, we asked our maritime students to share their best and worst lockdown experiences, as well as the lessons they’d learnt during lockdown and what they were most grateful for.
We received 23 entries for our competition and our five, external, judges had the challenging task of selecting their 5 favourite photos and stories. The judges ranged in ages from 15 to 70-something and current Lawhill staff and educators were not permitted to judge.
We thank everyone who supported this initiative – including the Lawhill Maritime Educational Trust and Professor Jonathan Jansen who provided the inspiration to host our own internal Learning Under Lockdown competition and to use the stories as content for our special edition Term 2 Newsletter. Click here to download a copy of the newsletter..
COMPETITION WINNERS:
Judges’ favourite story: Joshua Mbana, Grade 12
Runners up – favourite story: Luyanda Dlamini, Nthuthuko Shange, Thembi Mazula
Click here to read the winning story, here to read the stories of our runners-up and here to read 10 more of the judges’ favourites (highly commended stories)… (You are also most welcome to vote for your favourite story – email us on info@lawhill.org and tell us what makes that story your favourite).
Judges favourite photo – Sisonke Del Fava, Grade 11
Runners up – favourite photo – Avuzwa Hloni, Luyanda Dlamini, Nerrisa Sucrum, Nhlakanipho Khumalo
Well done to all! We are currently working on a special edition newsletter which will include your stories (or extracts from the story) and photos.
Judges:
Thank you to the following judges who devoted many hours to selecting the favourite stories:
Mr Brian Ingpen
Mr Clive de Villiers
Master Alexander Owen
Ms Audrey Matthysen
Ms Veronica Bradford
Prizes:
All persons mentioned below – our winners and/or finalists – will receive a cash prize in addition to a special bag made from repurposed yacht sails (and worth over R1000 each). The cash prize has been donated by the Lawhill Maritime Educational Trust, who have provided a lot of support to our programme and our school during this difficult time. All winners and finalists will also receive a certificate.
Please find below the complete list of winners and finalists…
| Judges favourite story | Grade | Result |
| Jody Muleshi | 11 | finalist-highly commended |
| Josh Mbana | 12 | First place winner – most votes |
| Lendicha Kuvare | 11 | finalist-highly commended |
| Luyanda Dlamini | 10 | Runner up |
| Nerrisa Sucrum | 12 | finalist-highly commended |
| Nhlakanipho Khumalo | 12 | finalist-highly commended |
| Nqobile Khuzwayo | 10 | finalist-highly commended |
| Nthuthuko shange | 10 | Runner up |
| Sibobo Nyathi | 11 | finalist-highly commended |
| Sisonke del Fava | 11 | finalist-highly commended |
| Thembi Mazula | 10 | Runner up |
| Thutho Thekiso | 10 | finalist-highly commended |
| Undiphile Mpafa | 10 | finalist-highly commended |
| Zola Sampson | 10 | finalist-highly commended |
| Judges favourite photograph | ||
| Avuzwa Hloni | 12 | Runner Up |
| Luyanda Dlamini | 10 | Runner Up |
| Mbalenhle Mkhize | 10 | finalist |
| Nerrisa Sucrum | 12 | Runner Up |
| Nhlakanipho Khumalo | 12 | Runner Up |
| Nthuthuko Shange | 10 | finalist |
| Sisonke del Fava | 11 | First place winner – most votes |
| Thembi Mazula | 10 | finalist |