Bethal Correctional Services hosted the 15th regional Funda Mzantsi Championship from September 9 to 11.

About 99 incarcerated men and women from book clubs in the Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and North West (LMN) regions competed in all 11 official South African languages in reading, debating, reviewing books, and spelling bees.

On the final day of the event, participating offenders received certificates during a special ceremony.

The top-performing offenders qualified to compete against other regions in the Department of Correctional Services’ (DCS) annual National Funda Mzantsi Championship, to be held in George, Western Cape, from October 6 to 9.

LMN regional commissioner Tlabo Thokolo thanked all participants for contributing to the success of the rehabilitation programme and congratulated those who will compete in the national competition. He encouraged those who were not selected to keep working hard and to start preparing early for next year’s competition.

“You cannot see change in your life unless you are willing to take responsibility for your actions. While in correctional facilities, you can learn and correct your mistakes. Once you do that, you will never re-offend or return to prison,” said Thokolo.

Grace Mbowane, an offender from Bethal Correctional Centre, said she was proud to be selected to represent the region in the upcoming national competition.

“I am proud of the Funda Mzantsi programme because it gives me purpose and equips me with skills I can share with communities when I leave the correctional facility. I hope the community will accept us,” said Mbowane.