On July 18, Nelson Mandela will turn 90, and to celebrate, Imagine Bermuda 2009 is holding a writing contest for Bermuda's youth.

People under the age of 25 are asked to submit letters of less than 400 words or poems shorter than a page with the subject on "reflecting on Mandela's example" by July 2, with the winner taking home a motorcycle, provided by HWP and the second place writer winning a cellular phone from Cellular One.

Imagine Bermuda's Coordinator, Glen Fubler, said: "Like Nelson Mandela, the motorcycle is an icon of freedom to the youth."

Once the entries are submitted to mandelaspromise@yahoo.com, they will all be judged by the panel including Dr. Kim Dismont-Robinson, Ron Lightbourne, and Royal Gazette columnist Roger Crombie.

While only one winner will earn the motorcycle, some other entries the judges deem noteworthy will be published in The Royal Gazette and featured during a reception held to honour Mr. Mandela's birthday.

Dr. Dismont-Robinson said that she was pleased to be involved in the contest. "It's a wonderful thing that has been thought up," she said.

Mr. Mandela became a worldwide symbol of freedom after being imprisoned for 27 years for fighting against apartheid South African government.Once a letter or poem is submitted, it will not be returned.