Video
GEORGE NEWS - George Deputy Mayor Raybin Figland, one of the guest speakers at the Funda Mzantsi reading championship that has been hosted in George this week, said the event is changing lives.
Funda Mzantsi was launched 14 years ago to promote a culture of reading in South African communities and also improve the social reintegration and rehabilitation of Correctional Services inmates. Figland said George has been the home of the championship and will remain the host in years to come.
"We have produced authors through the years and many books have found their way to the shelves because of this event."
Figland said South Africa has among the highest illiteracy rates in the world and events such as Funda Mzantsi are needed to help create a reading nation.
The conclusion of the weeklong battle for the top honours in reading skill at the championship is today, when the winners will be announced.
Inmates, students and community contending together
Hundreds of inmates, university students, learners and community book clubs from over the country have been convening daily at Eden Place since Monday to be judged in four categories: impromptu reading, debating, spelling bee and book reviewing.
The contenders were selected through regional and provincial contests.
Kepi Madumo, CEO of the National Library, who also spoke at the opening, stressed that literacy must reach every corner of society. "The Funda Mzantsi national reading initiative stands as a powerful testament to what we can achieve when we unite for a common cause."
He thanked all the role players whose contribution is making it a success.
Funda Mzantsi is posed to expand its reach and will in future also advocate for the use of indigenous languages to ensure that the country's rich cultural heritage is reflected in literature and education.
Catherine Lekgoletsi Mokoena
Programmes to instill love of reading
Catherine Lekgoletsi Mokoena of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture said the department's books and publishing directorate has several writing, publishing and reading programmes aimed at instilling a love of reading and writing across all ages.
The women writers' programme focuses on the development and recognition of women writers. It gives them a platform to showcase their work and amplifies their voices, which enriches the South African literature landscape.
In National Book Month in October, the department holds literary events and book donations to places in need.
There is also a programme that resuscitates and establishes reading and book clubs around the country. This cultivates a readership base for locally produced books so that local authors and publishers are supported. Another programme recognises excellence in literature so as to inspire excellence in writing.
Some of the guests of honour at the opening of Funda Mzantsi, from left: National Library CEO Kepi Madumo, Correctional Services National Commissioner Makgothi Samuel Thobakgale, Correctional Services Minister Dr Pieter Groenewald, George Deputy Mayor Raybin Figland and Garden Route District Municipality Speaker Georlene Wolmarans.
Correctional Services Minister Dr Pieter Groenewald was to speak at the event, but the programme was disrupted twice by lengthy power failures and he left prior to delivering his address to fulfil another engagement in Mossel Bay.
Funda Mzantsi is hosted by the Department of Correctional Services in collaboration with the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture through the National Library of South Africa (NLSA) and George Municipality. The Department of Education and Training is another important role player.
Watch National Library CEO Kepi Madumo speaking:
Contenders filled the auditorium of Eden Place for the opening ceremony.
‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’
