Limpopo school’s book club wins at national comp
Mmakgabo Secondary School's Dynamic Book Club excels at 13th Funda Mzantsi Championship, winning debate, spelling bee and Sepedi categories.
POLOKWANE – Mmakgabo Secondary School’s book club flew the Limpopo flag high at the 13th Funda Mzantsi Championship, held recently in George.
The school emerged victorious in several categories, securing a win in debate and the spelling bee, a third place in impromptu reading, and winning the overall award in the Sepedi category.
The Dynamic Book Club, founded and coordinated by Arthur Junior Makama, played a significant role in the school’s success.
Makama, an award-winning teacher and trailblazer in youth development, shared how the club has been fostering a culture of reading and excellence among learners since its inception.
“We’ve worked with over 300 learners since 2016, and the Inspire Champions Annual Spelling Bee Competition, which began in 2019, has been pivotal in this journey,” said Makama. He credited Refiloe Shai, a former Funda Mzantsi champion and coach, for inspiring the Dynamic Book Club’s rise to success.
Makama said that the team’s rigorous year-long preparations and dedication were the key to their triumph.
“Our goal was to represent Limpopo, and achieving that has made us incredibly proud. This win shows that learners from rural areas can succeed on a national stage, and it promotes our mother tongue, Sepedi, which many South Africans heard during the competition.”
He noted the importance of book clubs in promoting literacy and comprehension skills, which he believes are critical for academic success.
“Many learners struggle with reading comprehension, and our book club aims to change that by encouraging a love for reading and learning.”
Looking ahead, Makama announced that the fifth annual Inspire Champions Spelling Bee will be held on December 14 at Moletjie Moshate for learners aged seven to 18. Information about the competition is available on Inspire Champions’ social media platforms.
