Education is more than just books and exams—it is about nurturing creativity and inspiring young minds to explore their imaginations. This was beautifully demonstrated in the 2024 Story Stars competition, where young learners from across the Western Cape showcased their storytelling talents.
Among them, one story stood out. Congratulations to Anina Walters from Durbanville Primary School, the winner of the 2024 Story Stars creative writing competition! Anina, also known in her story as “Anina Mouse,” captivated judges with her imaginative tale, “The Land of Sweets.”
The Journey of a Young Storyteller
Story Stars is an annual competition for Grade 4 learners in the Western Cape, encouraging them to develop their creative writing skills. Anina’s winning story took Felix and Felicity, beloved Story Stars characters, on an exciting adventure through a magical land filled with toffee trees, marshmallow mice, a cheese curls forest, and a pretzel prison.
Her story stood out not only for its imaginative setting but also for its excellent use of punctuation, spelling, and vocabulary. This young writer displayed remarkable storytelling ability, setting her apart from hundreds of other entrants.
From Words to an Animated Film
One of the most exciting aspects of winning the Story Stars competition is seeing the story brought to life through animation. As part of her prize, Anina’s story was turned into an animated film, featuring her own voice as the narrator.
Anina was informed of her win at the end of 2023, and she recorded her voice for the animation, which was officially premiered today. Watching her story unfold on screen was a magical moment for Anina, her teachers, and her fellow learners at Durbanville Primary School.
The animated film can be viewed or downloaded here: Story Stars Film
Recognizing Other Talented Writers
The competition celebrated other talented young writers as well. The top three winners were:
1st place: Anina Walters – Durbanville Primary School, Metro North. 2nd place: Isabella Hubbard – Kleinmond Primary School, Overberg. 3rd place: Hafsa Ackers – Rustenburg Girls’ Primary School, Metro Central.
Each of these young writers showcased their unique creativity and storytelling skills, proving that the Western Cape is home to some incredible young talents.
The Role of Teachers and Schools Behind every talented learner is a supportive teacher and school community. Durbanville Primary School’s Grade 4 teacher, Ms. Anita Knipe, and principal, Mr. Pierre Du Toit, played a key role in encouraging Anina and her classmates to participate in Story Stars.
As always, teachers across the province are vital in fostering creativity and enthusiasm for learning. A big thank you to all the educators who guided and motivated their learners to enter the competition.
Looking Ahead: The 2025 Story Stars Competition
With the 2024 competition concluded, the excitement continues! The 2025 Story Stars competition has officially launched, inviting the next group of Grade 4 learners to take Felix and Felicity on a brand-new adventure.
For the first time, the competition will recognise winners in three languages—Afrikaans, English, and Xhosa—before selecting the ultimate champion. The goal remains the same: to inspire young learners to embrace creative writing and storytelling.
The deadline for entries is 12 May 2025, and the prizes are as exciting as ever!
Exciting Prizes Await
Winners will receive incredible rewards, including:
- Grand Prize Winner: A tablet, book bag, and branded stationery. Plus, their school will receive a R10,000 transfer payment for learning and teaching support materials.
- 2nd and 3rd Place Winners: A tablet, book bag, and stationery.
- Winning Teacher: A book bag and a voucher to recognise their dedication.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Storytellers
Story Stars is about more than just a competition; it’s about unlocking potential and proving that creativity has no limits. With each year, more learners discover the joy of writing, the power of storytelling, and the excitement of seeing their ideas come to life.
“We can’t wait to see who our next Story Star will be!” said Minister David Maynier. “To all our Grade 4 learners—pick up your pens, let your imaginations run wild, and enter the 2025 competition. Your story could be the next to come to life on screen!”
