Ocean View's Cadence Marinus, 14, is a winner in the City’s Library and Information Service writing competition.

The competition, which was open to pupils aged 9 to 18, received 131 entries from 33 libraries across Cape Town. Stories were submitted in English, Afrikaans, and Xhosa, and Cadence was the winner in the English category’s 14-to-18 age group.

The winners were announced at the Open Book Festival held at the Homecoming Centre last month.

The competition encouraged young writers to tell their stories about environmental heroes using the formats of graphic novels, picture books, long-form stories and more.

Cadence’s story spans six pages with hand-drawn illustrations and describes her experience of forming an eco-club at her school, South Peninsula High. It will be published on the library service's Libby app, and Cadence and the winners of the other categories will get to appear in an online production, together with Dream City author Mzwamadoda Mvimbeli, in which they will read and act out their stories.

Cadence said her story had been inspired by her “desire to take a stand against the environmental unfairness in the world”.

The eco-club does regular clean-ups at the school, and it recently set up recycling bins there.

“I heard about the competition from my librarian, Fatima Kiel. I decided to enter just to take a chance and see what happens,” said Cadence.

Although this was her first writing competition, Cadence opted not to attend any of the workshops offered by the libraries. “I didn’t do workshops and just went with what I knew and trusted myself.”

Reflecting on her win, she said: “It was an amazing feeling of excitement and shyness, unlike anything I’ve ever felt.

“It’s changed how I see things and made me feel more connected to writing. I’d like to pursue it as a career.”

Marlene Davids, the librarian at Ocean View library, said she was proud of Cadence’s achievement.

“Her submission stood out in the 14-18 age category for its creativity and depth, and we’re thrilled to see her recognised for her talent,” Ms Davids said.

Mayoral committee member of community services and health Patricia Van der Ross said: “The success of the writing competition is a shining example that our libraries are well visited and play an important role as knowledge centres in our communities.”

For Cadence, this competition is just the beginning.

“I love telling stories, and I hope this will encourage others to believe in their dreams, never give up, and strive for the best every day.”