Rua Mostert, a South African participant in the Embassy of France’s English Language Assistants programme in France, received third prize in the 2026 edition of the Dis-moi des nouvelles plurilingues competition for her bilingual short story Memento Mori, written in both French and English.
A former student of Stellenbosch University and graduate in languages and literature, Rua was recognised during the official ceremony organised by France Éducation international in Sèvres on 27 March 2026, as part of the Semaine des langues vivantes and the Month of Francophonie.
Currently working as an English language assistant in the Nancy-Metz academy, Rua was highlighted for both her creative engagement with the French language and her broader participation in the assistant-ambassador initiative. In the days leading up to the ceremony, selected assistants took part in thematic workshops and presented projects developed throughout the year, aimed at strengthening the visibility and impact of the language assistant programme.
Memento Mori follows an elderly narrator reflecting on memory, routine, love and mortality through intimate observations drawn from different stages of life, from childhood piano lessons to old age by a riverside bench. The text explores themes of remembrance, solitude and the relationship between people and the natural world.
Rua’s distinction also includes a study stay in France, featuring French language courses and an educational visit to Tours.
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