GEORGE NEWS - Once described as hardened criminals, Mcebisi Magadla and Ismail Beerdien surprised many as they changed their lives around and today are published authors. For this triumph, the Funda Mzantsi Literary championships for book clubs can take credit.
Over a thousand visitors were in George last week to attend the week-long National Funda Mzantsi reading championship that started on Monday 1 October. The reading sessions took place at the George Civic Centre, Conville community hall and the Thembalethu community hall.
Simphiwe Xako, spokesperson for Correctional Services, said that Magadla's book titled Nti-i-nga ntakandi-i-ni! is about moral regeneration.
"His time in prison and quest for redemption led him to relay his feelings through writing." The Ugly American, a crime thriller written by Beerdien, is a narrative about hardships experienced by
a young man forced to join dangerous street and gang life at a tender age. The Funda Mzantsi Reading Festival, a joint initiative between the Department of Correctional Services and the National Library of SA, aims to improve the reading habits of South Africans by instilling the love of reading, improving book reviewing techniques and cultivating the ability to publicly engage in a fruitful debate.
Ndileka Booi (left), Southern Cape Management area commissioner, and James Smalberger, chief deputy commissioner at the opening ceremony held on Sunday 30 September. Photo: Johan Pienaar
Funda Mzantsi has grown from four book clubs in three languages (English, IsiXhosa and Afrikaans) at the first event in 2009, to 93 book clubs conversing in all eleven official languages, as well as Braille.
The competition takes the form of a book club reading competition in which more than 5 000 young offenders from correctional facilities throughout the country, high school learners and independent book club members compete nationally for prizes.
Heinray Hobbs (left), Kapo Neliswa and Scritsh Lifa of Imizamo Yethu Secondary School debating if South Africa has done enough to promote and restore the dignity of the indigenous languages. Photo: Myron Rabinowitz
Members of the Department of Correctional Services Choristers sold meals to raise funds for an upcoming competition. From left: Xdani Dangazete, Sisize Mgubasi, Nobesuthu Makalo, Sinovuyo Thanda, Xolelwa Vumazanke, Ncedikazi Jilose, Siki Lolo and Joy Entile. Photo: Myron Rabinowitz
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