POLOKWANE – Radi Mautla, a Gr 6 learner at PEMPS, has been ranked the 13th best reader in the country in the Riot Reading Competition, a national initiative that promotes literacy and reading comprehension among Gr 6 learners.

Radi secured second place in Limpopo in the provincial leg, earning her a spot as one of only three learners selected to represent the province at national level.

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PEMPS teacher Priscilla Sinala, who introduced the competition to her class, said she discovered it online and enrolled her entire Gr 6 class.

“There were four rounds in total. The first was a practice round, then the top 10 learners from each school were selected.

“After the third round, the top readers from across the province competed. I had four learners reach the provincial level, and Radi was chosen to go on to nationals,” she explained.

Radi said she felt honoured to represent her province. To prepare, she practiced by watching YouTube videos that required reading aloud quickly and accurately.

“I read as fast as I could without making mistakes,” she said.

Looking to the future, Radi hopes to use her reading and speaking skills in a career in law. “I want to be a lawyer so I can represent those who can’t speak for themselves in court,” she said.