Local pupils were given a chance to present and show off their creativity at a poetry competition hosted by eThekweni Libraries and Heritage Services at Toti Civic Centre on Thursday, 11 June.
“Pupils were given a project to read the late Nat Nakasa’s book and use it as a basis to create poetry,” said ward 97 committee head of arts and culture, and sports and recreation, Ernest Molotsi.
Fittingly the project was held during June, which is Youth Month.
The library department has embarked on a drive to promote reading under the banner: ‘One city, one book. The concept of the programme is to select one book per year and make it available to the public through branch libraries to promote reading, social cohesion, debate and discussion.
This is the second year the project has run. In the first year pupils had to take out and read Nelson Mandela’s Long Walk To Freedom.
This year they had to tackle the works of Nat Nakasa, a South African short story writer and journalist, who was exiled during the apartheid years.
The programme was split into three categories – 12 to 14-years-old; 15 to 18-years-old; and 18 to 25-years-old.
“The idea is to select a book suitable for all ages,” said district 5 manager, Jabu Sithole. “This one was a difficult one for the pupils.”
Top performers were awarded with medals and trophies.
The winners were – (12 to 14-years category) first Amahle Gumede, second Olwethu Msomi; (15 to 18-years category) first Sithabiso Khuzwayo, second Emmanuel Zondi; (19 to 25-years category) first Philani Kunene, second Nkosinathi Maphumulo.
