• English organisations in South Africa

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    English organisations in South Africa

     

    Here are three organisations that schools might be interested in joining:

     

    SOUTH AFRICAN COUNCIL FOR ENGLISH EDUCATION (SACEE)

    SACEE is an organisation dedicated to the promotion of the English Language. Founded in 1955, SACEE aims to maintain, promote and encourage education through the medium of English and to improve the standards of written and spoken English in South Africa.

    Today, SACEE has seven active branches around the country – Bloemfontein, Border, Eastern Cape, Johannesburg. Mid-Vaal, Pretoria and Western Cape. These branches are run by dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers. It is hoped that a branch of SACEE may soon be established in Kwa-Zulu Natal. The branches organise a number of competitions and events for schools in their area, including a creative writing competition, a spelling competition, forum discussions and debating.

    In addition to the various programmes and projects organised by the branches in their local areas, SACEE incorporates four national projects:

    • The publication of English Alive, an annual anthology of writings from high schools and colleges in South Africa. This project has been in operation since 1967 and has seen a number of its entrants go on to become established writers. The copies of the publication are also very useful tools for teaching, as they show school children writings done by school children.
    • The De Beers English Olympiad, an annual literary competition for learners in high schools and colleges. This project, which is a joint project between SACEE and the Grahamstown Foundation, has been in existence since 1976 and offers very attractive prizes, including a year’s free tuition at Rhodes University, overseas trips and substantial cash prizes.
    • The Language Challenge, which, as the name suggests, consists of a competition focussed on language puzzles and tests.
    • World Schools Debating Leagues: Both Johannesburg and Bloemfontein branches participate in these debating competitions.

    SACEE membership is open to individuals or schools. Some branches offer schools discounts on school competitions. Otherwise, membership of the branch enables the individual or school to keep up to date on SACEE projects.

     

    Contact details:

    Miss Patricia Bootland, Admin/National Secretary

    P O Box 2074, Link Hills, 3652

    Tel/Fax: 031 776 4185

    Email: sacee@iburst.co.za

    Or see the website (www.sacee.org.za) for the contact details of national project organisers and branches.

     

    THE SHAKESPEARE SOCIETY OF SOUTHERN AFRICA (SOSSA)

    SOSSA strives to serve the interests of a wide variety of sectors, from school pupils, students and teachers, to ordinary Shakespeare enthusiasts, academics, theatrical people and cultural workers. Its aim is to help people to enjoy themselves through theatrical and intellectual exploration focused on Shakespeare, with particular attention to his ‘after-life’ in Southern Africa.  This it does through its publications, its triennial conference and its meetings at its branches in Cape Town, Durban, Grahamstown, Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth.

     

    Contact details:

    The Shakespeare Society of South Africa, ISEA, Rhodes University, P O Box 94, Grahamstown, 6140

    Tel: 046 603 7288 or 046 622 6063

    See website (www.ru.ac/shakespeare) for branch contact details.

     

    THE ENGLISH ACADEMY OF SOUTHERN AFRICA

    Patrons: Nadine Gordimer &  Njabulo Ndebele

    The English Academy was founded in 1961 and celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 2011. It is an association dedicated to promoting the effective use of English as a dynamic language in Southern Africa. This it does through its publications, prizes and awards, lectures, conferences and language advisory service. One of its more recent projects was the launch of its online magazine for English teachers, Teaching English Today (www.teachenglishtoday.org) in 2010. Membership is open to all persons and organisations identifying with the Academy’s mission and sharing its vision.

     

    Contact details:

    P O Box 124, WITS, 2050

    Tel/Fax: 011 717 9339

    Email:  englishacademy@wits.ac.za

    Website: www.englishacademy.co.za

     

    Categories: Volume 4