Eastern Cape’s best and brightest triumph at Growsmart 2024

The Growsmart Educational Programme, an initiative by Growthpoint Properties, has reached the pinnacle of its annual competition season, celebrating the brightest young minds in the Eastern Cape. The Final Competition took place at the East London International Convention Centre on Saturday, 7 September 2024, where the top-performing learners in literacy, mathematics, and story writing were honoured.

Launched in 2010, Growsmart is a nationally and internationally recognised initiative fully supported by the Eastern Cape Education Department and the Flagship Programme of the Western Cape Department of Education. The programme, aimed at improving educational outcomes in underperforming schools, enhances the learning experience of intermediate learners in grades 4, 5, and 6 through an engaging and interactive curriculum-based competition. The focus areas of literacy, story writing (creative writing), and mathematics are designed to positively impact learners' educational journeys.

The Eastern Cape competition began in May, with learners from various educational districts, including East London, King Williams Town, and others, progressing through rigorous rounds and semi-finals. In the finals, 15 learners in each of the literacy and mathematics categories and 10 in story writing advanced. The winners of the 2024 competition are:

The 15 finalists in the Literacy Competition were selected from a pool of 315

participants. They were tested on their ability to spell, define and use words in

sentences, as well as their knowledge of verbs, nouns, idioms, and adjectives. The

winners are:

1st Place Stepping Stone Junior School, Komani, Gqeberha

2nd Place Triomf Primary School, Bethelsdorp, Gqeberha

3rd Place Fanti Gaqa Primary School, Mdantsane, East London

Stepping Stone Junior School’s accomplishment has also earned them an iPad Lab worth R350,000, fostering future learning and promoting positive educational outcomes.

In the Mathematics Competition, 15 finalists out of the 315 participants tackled questions ranging from BODMAS to problem-solving and mental maths. The winners are:

1st Place Mzoxolo Primary School, Mdantsane, East London

2nd Place Stepping Stone Junior School, Komani, Gqeberha

3rd Place Joe Slovo Primary School, Uitenhage, Gqeberha

The Story Writing Competition is a project-based, mentor-led event in which learners

submit their own original written stories.

1st Place Nonzwakazi JSP, Iva Tshambu

2nd Place Dalrose Full Service School, Kaiden Wright

3rd Place Southbourne Primary School, Esoxolo Mhlonitshwa

Most Creative Inner City Primary, Oluthando Mnana

The winning schools were awarded prizes to further support their educational efforts.

Jewel Harris, Founder of Growsmart and General Manager of Growthpoint Properties Cape Town, applauded the dedication and talent of this year’s participants. “Congratulations to everyone who took part in this year's interactive programme. It has been more focused, relevant, engaging, and innovative than ever before. Well done to the winning learners, mentors, and schools.”

Shawn Theunissen, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Growthpoint Properties, added, “The winning learners and mentors represent the leaders of tomorrow and today. We’re incredibly proud of them all. Investing in positive social impact across the entire education value chain not only transforms lives today but also shapes future generations.”

Growsmart provides a platform for learners to thrive academically and personally, with the opportunity to apply for the Growsmart Bursary Programme, further supporting their educational journey.

As Growsmart concludes its seventh year in the Eastern Cape, the programme continues to expand its reach and impact and is also celebrating successes in the Western Cape and Limpopo. The initiative remains committed to creating opportunities that enable communities to thrive and to nurture future global citizens within a more inclusive society.

Congratulations to all the Eastern Cape winners!

Attachments

Growsmart:

www.growsmart.org.za

www.facebook.com/growsmart

www.instagram.com/growsmart_education

https://www.linkedin.com/company/growsmart.growthpoint

www.youtube.com/growsmartsa

Growthpoint Properties:

www.growthpoint.co.za

www.facebook.com/Growthpoint

www.twitter.com/Growthpoint

www.linkedin.com/company/growthpoint-properties-ltd

www.youtube.com/GrowthpointBroadcast