He was handed a tablet donated by FNB as first prize. He received his prize along with all the other winners in the Poetry and Essay categories in English and Afrikaans, at a prize giving function held at the George Library on Saturday evening.
"The competition is the result of the desire to promote writing as a creative expression of human emotions," said Fourie-Hattingh at the function.
As part of the entertainment, La Belle Model and Finishing School models strutted on a large table that was turned into a ramp for the occasion. Quina's essay and the other entrants made a huge impression on James Fouche, a teacher and judge from Knysna, who said it delved in the deepest of emotions to come up with very deep literary results.
Fouche said participants were invited to reveal their innermost emotions, and indeed this turned out to be quite cathartic for quite a few of them. There were pupils who were clearly in great emotional turmoil and more than one entrant touched on depression and suicide as subjects. "Many were masterful in the manner in which they succeeded in using difficult techniques like writing in the first person but with the detachment of an impersonal narrator. It is good to get the debate going - the winning entry touched on abortion.
These are harsh realities and moral dilemmas that pupils are aware off," said Fouche speaking casually after the winners were announced. Fourie-Hattingh thanked all the sponsors, judges, the George Library and other participants.
Click here for photo gallery.
Percival Quina (second from right) was the winner of the 'I Feel/Ek Voel' literary competition held by Jeanne Fourie-Hattingh (second from left) in conjunction with the George Library. At the prize giving held on Saturday evening, he was congratulated by the George Library Manager Rachel Williams (left). On the right is FNB's Ursula Claassen, the sponsor of the winning prize, a tablet.
ARTICLE: PAULINE LOURENS, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST
'We bring you the latest George, Garden Route news'
