The big battle of the book clubs

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GEORGE NEWS - The National Library of South Africa (NLSA) in partnership with the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) and George Municipality is hosting the 12th Funda Mzantsi Championship (FMC) in George this week.

The event kicked off at Eden Church on Monday 3 October and will finish tomorrow, Friday 7 October.

FMC is an annual reading competition that gives book clubs across the country the opportunity to compete against one another. It was initiated by the NLSA 12 years ago and started out with only a handful of schools in George.

Over the years, participation increased and inmates of correctional services were invited to take part. This year approximately 300 offenders from book clubs within DCS and about 300 people from external book clubs from across all nine provinces are taking part in the prestigious competition.

PHOTO GALLERY: 12th Funda Mzantsi Championship (FMC) in George

The NLSA has been hosting FMC since 2010 with the objective of instilling a culture of reading for enjoyment in South Africa.

To prepare for the competition, participants had to read selected books from a specific list, including titles from the NLSA's Reprint of South African Classics project.

"Funda Mzantsi reminds us that behind bars we have brains. Brains that can be developed and brains that have potential," said DCS National Commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale during his opening address. Photo: Kristy Kolberg

Participants are assessed in four categories - impromptu reading, debating, spelling bee and book reviews - in all South African languages. The much-acclaimed book The Yearning by Mohale Mashigo is being reviewed by participants in this year's competition.

As much as this is a battle of the book clubs, the championship is also a celebration of reading, writing and publishing.

On Monday and Tuesday the competition was hosted at Eden Church. From Wednesday to Friday, Conville, Thembalethu and Pacaltsdorp are also hosts to the competition.

Correctional Services is a community on its own and incarcerated inmates are given the chance to participate in education and skills development programmes. Among the distinguished guests were Judge President John Hlophe and National Commissioner of DCS Makgothi Thobakgale.

Judge President John Hlophe (left) enjoying a laugh with Nokuthula Musa, executive director of NSLA. Photo: Kristy Kolberg