The Jigsaw Puzzle Association of South Africa hosted an Africa Day Puzzle Challenge on Saturday at the Jabavu Library.
According to organisers of the event, this was their way of uniquely responding to the recent attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa.
It also formed part of their Africa Day celebrations.
The challenge was open to pupils 12-years-old and younger, living in Soweto who have in interest in geography and about 40 pupils participated.
The first round started with a 63 piece puzzle of an Africa map which the pupils had to compete in pairs in 10 minutes or less.
The following round included the children completing the same puzzle but as individuals in 15 minutes or less.
Afterwards the top 30 pupils from the first two rounds were selected to compete in a 300 piece puzzle of the map of Africa and flags of different countries in 30 minutes.
Project director of the campaign, Tefo Mohale said: “We are a continent with many problems so we need to start interrogating ourselves as society on how we can deal with problems better.
“It is important for us to teach our children about the African continent, get them excited about Africa Day and involve them in the dialogue of our fight against xenophobia.
“This is also a way of teaching children not to give up on themselves and on how to work as teams and getting their brains to exercise.”
The top five teams were announced on the day and it was said that the winning team will be visited at their school on May 25.
One of the top achievers at the challenge was Hlonhonolofatso Dinatlho who said that she participated in the challenge to represent her school.
She said she loves geography and enjoyed the competition because it needed her to use her hands and brain.
“This was my first time entering the puzzle competition and it was fun,” she said.
Top performer who completed the singles round in eight minutes was Olebogeng Setlhodi and she said she was thrilled with her performance.
She said she had never played with puzzle and amazed even herself with the way she performed.
“I wasn’t looking at the picture or at other people but was just focusing on what was coming together on my puzzle, which worked for me,” she said.
Top performers of the first two rounds received prizes of puzzles.
