ETHEKWINI Municipality’s Libraries and Heritage Department held its annual schools quiz competition on October 10 at the Amanzimtoti Civic Centre.

This event aims to enhance Grade Seven learners’ critical thinking and literacy skills in an engaging manner. While 10 learners were expected, only seven were present. Each librarian from District 5, covering Athlone Park to Magabheni, selected a school, and the learners were tasked with reading three books for the quiz.

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The department’s senior librarian, Sibongile Doncabe, said that despite some initial nerves, the learners were well-prepared, and the competition ran smoothly.

“On the day, the competition was held at various locations around the city. This literacy programme has been one of our flagship programmes where learners are issued books to read and are then quizzed on each chapter,” she said.

One of the books featured in the competition, The Rejected Treasure, was written by author Olwami Shangase from Ilovu Township. “She wrote this when she was a learner at Umbogintwini Primary School at the age of 11. She managed to appear in one of the programmes held in town, and she encouraged learners to read and change their narratives. She was excited and grateful that her own book was being used for this competition,” said Doncabe.

The winner was Sandiso Khumalo from Saphumelela Full Service School, representing Adams Mission Library. Second place went to Nonjabulo Nzama from Dlambula Primary School (Umkomaas Library), and Thembeka Gcaba from Magama Primary School (KwaMakhutha Library) came third.

These top learners received a trophy and prizes, with the winner moving on to compete in the next round against other district champions.

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