The Department of Education has been hosting an annual oral history competition, known as the Nkosi Albert Luthuli Young Historians’ Competition, since 2006 as part of their commitment to participate in and co-ordinate the national commemoration of the anniversaries of events of historical significance in schools.

Each year all schools are encouraged to participate and the competition is open to all learners in Grades 8 to 11 and all history educators in secondary schools.

The aim of this oral history competition is to encourage all learners to develop an understanding, not only of the broad history of South Africa, but also of the richness of the histories of their local communities, and in the process gaining experience in developing important research skills.

This is a joint project between the Department of Education, South African History Online and the South African History Archive.