Fezile Dabi District learners Motaung Itumeleng and Diteboho Tladi were among the shining stars for the Free State at the iNkosi Albert Luthuli Oral History Programme National Finals, held at the Department of Basic Education in Pretoria from 21 to 23 August 2026.
Itumeleng secured third position in Poetry Western, while Tladi claimed second position in Storytelling, contributing to the Free State team’s impressive haul of six national positions.
The Free State Department of Education has congratulated the provincial team for flying the Free State flag high. The Free State, represented by 11 learners and 1 educator selected during the Provincial Edition held in Xhariep District from 24 – 26 July 2026, secured six national positions, reaffirming our province as a leader in oral history, heritage and civic education.
National Achievers Are:
– Position 1 – Letter Writing: Eltino Mathobi (Xhariep District)
– Position 2 – Story Writing: Boiketlo Khoarai (Lejweleputswa District)
– Position 2 – Young Historian LSEN: Wami Seswana (Lejweleputswa District)
– Position 3 – Poetry Western: Motaung Itumeleng (Fezile Dabi District)
– Position 2 – Storytelling: Diteboho Tladi (Fezile Dabi District)
– Position 3 – Young Historian Grade 10: Makhotla Tiisetso (Xhariep District)
“This achievement continues the Free State’s proud legacy in the iNkosi Albert Luthuli Oral History Programme, a flagship programme of the Department of Basic Education in partnership with the Luthuli Museum since 2006. The programme teaches learners History and the Constitution through research, poetry, letter writing, storytelling, interviewing and presentation, while fostering national pride, patriotism, human rights, social cohesion and the preservation of indigenous knowledge.” said the depattment.
The MEC for Education in the Free State, Dr MJ Maboya has lauded the learners, educators, parents, District Officials (including transport drivers) and the Directorate: Sports , Youth, Recreation Arts and Culture (SYRAC) & Values in Education for their dedication:
“These learners have not just written history, they have preserved it. They went into their communities, found the untold stories of our heroes and heroines, and gave them a voice. This is what CAPS History, Life Orientation, Values in Education and nation-building is about. The Free State is indeed building learners who know where they come from to know where they are going. We are immensely proud.”
The Department also commended all districts, circuits, schools and adjudicators who participated from school level to national level, and the use of mother tongue in promoting intergenerational dialogue.
