AYANDA TAKES THE PRIZE

Durban Primary learner takes first prize in her category of Cartoon Network’s Animation Generation Prizegiving.

Nine young South African artists were celebrated at the Animation Generation winner’s ceremony at the Johannesburg Zoo led by Alan Musa, VP and GM, Pan Middle East and Africa for Turner Broadcasting Systems. Winner was Refilwe Mpobole from Soweto.

The Animation Generation competition received over 4,000 entries from 1,000 schools across South Africa. There were three age groups – six to eights; nine to 11s and 12 to 14s - and a winner from each was chosen;.

Eight year old Ayanda Mthembu from Durban Primary in Kwazulu-Natal took first prize in the 6 to 8 year category with Thami Magubane from the same school taking third place.

“I’ve always loved the big paintings that you see hanging on people’s walls and I always wanted to be just like those artists, with my work framed like theirs,” smiles Ayanda Mthembu. “I take my drawing seriously and I want all the other children out there to know that they must take what they want and love seriously, it doesn’t matter how small they are. Nothing is impossible – winning this prize today has really made me believe that.”

Upasana Patel from Gordon Road Girls School came second in the 12 to 14 Category.

Prizes for the talented children included a Playstation 3 console, Xbox, PSP and their schools walked away with hefty cash prizes.