Writing Club

The English is Lekka Writing Club is facilitated by Mr. J. Smith, an English educator at Woodlands Secondary School, and Ms. C. Solomons, an English educator at Cedar Secondary School. Sessions are hosted on Saturdays from 9:00 to 14:00, rotating between schools across Cape Town.

While the core focus is developing creative writing skills, the club achieves far more. Beyond grammar and poetry analysis, learners explore creative writing, short stories, cartoons and poetry, crafting short stories with strong beginnings and engaging cliff-hangers, and demonstrating a sophisticated grasp of poetic devices and narrative structure. Many participants who once struggled to speak in front of others now present with confidence, supported by the club's emphasis on encouragement, positive reinforcement and a safe learning environment.

Importantly, English is Lekka fosters holistic development. Outings to places such as the Slave Lodge and the Iziko Museum have been transformative, for some learners, these excursions marked their first experience outside Mitchells Plain. Activities like collaborative story chains, conducted in dynamic new environments, make writing an exciting, memorable experience. The club has also instilled a sense of ownership: many learners are eager to participate in fundraising, sustain the programme and continue building its legacy.

Every year the bar rises. In 2024, Alizwa Pikoli of Immaculate High School was named English is Lekka's winner, and in 2025 Jihaad Samsodien of the Cape Academy of Mathematics, Science and Technology took first place in the Writing Competition, proof that when young people are given the space, their words take flight.