500 submissions and counting
Show us how you are growing the brain power of a child you care for. That was the challenge issued by Hold My Hand, South Africa’s national campaign for children. Three weeks into the Brain Power competition, entries are coming in from all nine provinces and all 12 official languages.
Singing mamas from Mpumalanga, a teacher in Gauteng who walks into class dressed as a book character. A grandmother in Limpopo playing handclap games. A father in KwaZulu-Natal teaching his children about love. A brother from Mpumalanga who uses a daily routine like teeth-brushing to teach his younger brother to count and measure things. These are some of the winners of weekly prizes. Over 500 South Africans have submitted so far and the competition doesn't close until 23 May 2026.
"We knew South Africans cared deeply about their children," says Mesuli Kama, social mobilisation lead for Hold My Hand. "What's struck us is how eager people are to show it. Every submission is someone saying: I see this child. I'm here. It’s all about having fun while we build our children’s brains.
The Brain Power competition invites parents, caregivers, siblings, neighbours and teachers to share the everyday moments that build young brains - through singing, storytelling, reading, playing or simply talking back to a babbling baby. Entries are submitted via WhatsApp as a short video, a voice note, or a photo with a short story.
The competition was launched in response to the National Strategy to Accelerate Action for Children (NSAAC), which identifies ‘growing children’s brain power through early learning and language development’ as one of ten national priorities. Science shows that 90% of brain development happens before age five, meaning the interactions that happen at home, long before school, lay the foundation for a child's lifelong learning. Mesuli reminds us that “It’s never too late to start, and engaging with children and teens is a good way to keep our brains powered up – you’ll be surprised just how much you can learn from children.”
Two rounds of weekly winners have been announced, drawing from KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Gauteng, Limpopo, North West and the Western Cape. R8 000 in cash prizes is awarded each week, with individual prizes ranging from R1 000 to R3 000.
With just over two weeks remaining, Hold My Hand is encouraging more South Africans to enter.
How to enter: Send the words Brain Power to 0600 411 111 on WhatsApp.
Competition closes: 23 May 2026
About Hold My Hand
Hold My Hand is a national communications and social mobilisation campaign in support of the National Strategy to Accelerate Action for Children (NSAAC), to ensure that the rights and well-being of South Africa’s children and teenagers are prioritised. The Strategy calls for an all of society approach and the Hold My Hand Accelerator for Children and Teens has been set up to fast-track certain priority strategies in the NSAAC.
