Young voices rise: South African children share raw, honest stories in national competition
'HOLD MY HAND'
Hundreds of young South Africans are sharing their raw and honest stories through the Hear Me Out and Keready to Ringa competitions.
Image: Supplied / iSupport Creative Business
As part of the growing national “Hold My Hand” campaign, young people across the Northern Cape are being invited to share their lived experiences through the Hear Me Out and Keready to Ringa competitions.
Whether it’s a poem from Pofadder, a voice note from Galeshewe, or a drawing from Kuruman, teens and children are finding powerful ways to speak truth to the challenges they face – and demand that adults truly listen.
Over 700 submissions have been received, sharing personal reflections on mental health struggles, family dynamics, loss, and survival.
The competitions, open to children and teenagers under 18, aim to create a national archive of lived experiences. Submissions include voice notes, poems, raps, letters, videos, and artwork, each carrying the emotional weight of being young in South Africa today.
One 15-year-old writes, "I'm not a kid. Not an adult. Just me. Figuring it out. Loud, messy and real." Another shares a powerful poem, "Let Me Speak Without Being Shut Down," pleading for adults to listen without judgement.
The Keready to Ringa teen entries reveal raw reflections on dating, heartbreak, mental health stigma, and family conflict. One young writer asks, "Why do parents shout before they listen? Why are our stories always cut short?"
The competition is still open until August 8, 2025, with weekly prizes of R2,000 for outstanding entries. Children and teens can submit via WhatsApp or social media using #KereadytoRinga and #HoldMyHandSA.
This initiative forms part of the Hold My Hand campaign, aligned with the National Strategy to Accelerate Action for Children, prioritising young voices and intergenerational dialogue in national transformation.