Book club offenders compete in the regional Funda Mzantsi championship in Bethal
The 14th regional Funda Mzantsi Championships had offenders belonging to book clubs in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and the North West regions competed in all South African official languages for book reading, book review, spelling bee and debate categories.
Bethal Correctional Services played host to the 14th regional Funda Mzantsi Championship on August 28 to 30.
About 75 incarcerated men and women offenders belong to book clubs in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and the North West regions competed in all South African official languages for book reading, book review, spelling bee and debate categories.
Fifty best-performing offenders were selected to represent the LMN Region at the National Funda Mzantsi Championship that will be held in George on September 23 to 27.
Funda Mzantsi promotes a culture of reading, promotes the diversity of South African languages and literacy, and encourages offenders to read, write, debate and value the ideas and thoughts of others.
Correctional Services is a community on its own and incarcerated inmates are given the chance for education and skills development programmes. Funda Mzantsi was initiated by the National Library and began with a few local schools in George. Over the years, participation increased and, inmates of correctional services were invited to take part.
Speaking to the Ridge Times, Tebello Mahlangu, LMN regional head for development and care, said: “There has been a huge growth and interest of participants since Funda Mzantsi began 14 years ago.”
Offender Wayne Nass competed for the second time in the Funda Mzantsi Championship.
“Life does not end in prison. We learn that the future is still there and that it all depends on us,” said Nass.
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Serving a life sentence Nass said that the Funda Mzantsi Championships is a blessing which allows him to focus on the positive and to help towards his rehabilitation.
“I encourage offenders to make use of the programmes provided by the Correctional Services,” said Nass.
Also serving a life sentence, offender Tshepo Ntshala began competing in the Funda Mzantsi Championships in 2015.
“Such programs help build up one’s confidence and self-esteem. The correctional services always try to come up with programs that can help offenders cope while incarcerated and Funda Mzantsi is one of these programmes,” concluded Ntshala.
