On Friday, October 18, 2024, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Sports, Arts and Culture hosted a Level 3 reading competition for 11 primary schools across the uThukela district, facilitated by the district libraries department at Ladysmith Civic Hall.
The schools in attendance were as follows: Thobezweni, Mathamo, Themba, Inkanyiso, Njabulweni, NkosiMngayi, Ncwaba, Nhlonhlweni, Mkhamba, Forderville, and Ferdinand Primary Schools. The aim of the competition was to enhance Grade 4 learners’ reading, writing, summarizing, and interpreting skills.
In attendance were Cllr Warrasally, Cllr Mdluli, Cllr Mtshali, Cllr Mhlongo, Cllr Kubheka, Mr. S. Kunene from the Alfred Duma Local Municipality Community and Social Services Department, as well as parents, students, and teachers from various schools. The 12 participants were categorized into two groups: six participants in isiZulu and six in English. During the competition, a learner read a short story, summarized it, and spelled three words as requested by the judges.
Message of Support: Mrs. Mthonti from the Department of Education applauded all participants and informed the attendees that 2024 is regarded as the year of learning. She also commended the department for including isiZulu in the competition, as they are piloting mother-tongue education, meaning some subjects will be taught in isiZulu.
Mr. S. Kunene, on behalf of the Alfred Duma Local Municipality, commended the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture for the program and encouraged the learners to put in more effort. He praised the inclusion of isiZulu in the reading competition and urged departments to promote isiZulu in all aspects through libraries.
Ms. Nhlabathi from Inkosi Langalibalele thanked everyone who contributed to the event’s success and expressed a desire for the program to continue annually.
On behalf of Alfred Duma Local Municipality educators, Ms. Mazibuko from Enhlonhlweni Primary School applauded all students who participated in the competition, expressing pride in their achievements. She also thanked the teachers for their hard work and the librarians for organizing such a successful event.
On behalf of Inkosi Langalibalele Municipality educators, Mrs. Mlambo from Ferdaville thanked everyone who made the event a success.
IsiZulu category winners were as follows: – 1st Prize: Snokuhle Hadebe from Themba Primary School (Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality) – 2nd Prize: Okuhle Zikalala from Nkosi Mngayi Primary School – 3rd Prize: Zamabiyase Ziqubu from Njabulweni Primary School
English category winners were as follows: – 1st Prize: Luyanda Lunga from UMkhamba Primary School (Alfred Duma Local Municipality) – 2nd Prize: Andrielle Bajhath from Ferdaville Primary School – 3rd Prize: Andiswa Madondo from Nkanyiso Primary School
The event was a success, and students were very excited to have the opportunity to participate and improve their reading skills.