By Sbongile Sokela
Masifunde Sonke Book Club from Kwa-Thema Library is getting ready to attend the Funda Mzantsi Championship that will be held at Kagiso Archives. For the past two years, the book club has been winning top prizes and producing champions who go on to represent Gauteng at the national championship in George.
So far, five champions from Kwa-Thema have flown the flag for the province at the national level, competing alongside book clubs from other provinces and even inmates from correctional services. The championship is always a spectacular event where participants compete in all 11 official languages of South Africa.
The competition has four categories: spelling bee, reading impromptu, book review and debate. Busi Nkosi has been the Kwa-Thema champion for the past two years, representing Gauteng in George and entering all four categories in IsiSwati.
Every year, the book club grooms new members to enter the competition and to keep their winning streak alive. In the picture are members Nkateko Khoza, Sboniso Lukhele and Nthabiseng Mochesane, who are preparing for the 2025 championship. This year, the club is aiming to produce even more winners to represent Kwa-Thema Library and the Ekurhuleni region.
Currently, 20 book club members will represent Ekurhuleni in the Funda Mzantsi provincial championship. They are preparing using prescribed books borrowed from the library.
The championship is broadcast live on SABC and YouTube, creating excitement as book lovers gather in one room to celebrate reading. “We are trying to make reading fun and exciting so that we encourage our generation to read, and for the next generation to do the same,” said one member.
Last year’s champions were Busi Nkosi, Solomzi Ntwenka, Andile Mthembu, Lerato Dumse and Sakhele Matunda, who travelled to George with all expenses paid. Former Minister of Correctional Services, Ronald Lamola, attended the event and delivered a thank you speech, while Bricks, representing Gauteng under correctional services, read in IsiZulu.
Beyond the championship, Masifunde Sonke Book Club is also active in promoting the spirit of reading. Members join competitions to win laptops and tablets from the provincial office, attend book fairs and author workshops, and even host book picnics where they read together at parks.
“These activities build people’s confidence. And the free trip to George for a week is a bonus,” said book club member Nthabiseng with a smile.
