High School learners compete at the Readathon and Book Whizz

The Rand West City Libraries hosted its first combined Book Whizz and MobiReadathon Competition, providing learners with the opportunity to demonstrate their digital literacy and academic skills.

The competition aimed to promote a reading culture and to introduce the use of technology as part of digital literacy. Programmes Librarian Thandeka Legae noted that this was the first time the MobiReadathon and Book Whizz were held together.

Thandeka explained that the MobiReadathon is a reading development programme initiated by the City of Johannesburg Libraries. The Rand West City Libraries adopted the programme in 2024.

Learners read stories using laptops, phones, and tablets, and they were introduced to digital tools for reading and information retrieval.

This year, two high schools with 10 learners each participated in the MobiReadathon. Randfontein High School secured first place, while Hoërskool Westonaria came in second.

With the Book Whizz, learners displayed their talent and ability to comprehend and communicate. Participants were given the same stories used in the MobiReadathon.

The learners were assessed in categories including book review, impromptu reading, spelling, and debate. A total of six high schools took part in the Book Whizz, namely Randfontein High School, Hoërskool Westonaria, Ithuteng Secondary School, AB Phokompe Secondary School, Phahama Secondary School and Kgothalang Secondary School.

Randfontein High’s Edzai Mpukuzela claimed first place, while Asenathi Nondule from Hoërskool Westonaria secured second. Onkarabile Molifi from Ithuteng Secondary School worked hard to achieve third place.

“The combination of the two programmes was exciting. Learners learnt a lot from each other. Technology is taking over our lives. We must equip our learners with the necessary skills to adapt to the fast-changing world,” Thandeka concluded.