Durban– University of Eswatini (UNESWA) final-year student Vuyelwa Simelane has emerged as the overall winner of the SADC Tertiary Institution Essay Competition, taking the top prize of US$2,000.
Simelane, 26, was announced as the winner during the 46th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government held in Durban yesterday morning.
The BSc Biology and Chemistry student won with her essay titled “From SADCC to SADC: Continuities, Changes and Policy Lessons.”
Her achievement comes a year after she won the ARSO Continental Essay Competition, giving her two victories in international essay competitions.
Simelane’s winning essay reflects on the transformation of the Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC) into the Southern African Development Community (SADC), using a family metaphor to examine the region’s political and economic journey.
In the essay, she pays tribute to the founding leaders of SADC while comparing the challenges faced by the region in its earlier years with those confronting it today.
She highlights contemporary concerns including democratic backsliding, electoral disputes and governance crises, while drawing lessons on unity, political will, self-reliance and collective defence.
Reacting to her victory, Simelane described the award as an honour and a humbling achievement.
She said having her name announced in the presence of His Majesty King Mswati III and SADC Heads of State and Government made the occasion particularly meaningful.
Simelane’s latest achievement adds to her growing record as a young writer and academic competing beyond Eswatini’s borders.
She is the first-born daughter of Eswatini Observer photojournalist Lucky Simelane.
Malawi’s Yamikani Bottomani finished second and received US$1,000, while Namibia’s Benice Mujoro came third and received US$500.
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