Inmates showed their skills in the Funda Mzantsi competition.
Winners will compete in the regionals.
Inmates from all the centres in the eMalahleni managerial areas participated in the Funda Mzantsi competition.
The objectives of Funda Mzantsi are to enhance the value chain in writing, publishing and reading in South African official languages, build creative minds through reading in all languages, to stimulate, encourage and activate reading continuously.
To improve reading and book reviewing skills, to preserve and embrace South African indigenous languages, and to create a platform where South African cultures can be expressed.
It also aims to establish book clubs, employ technology as a tool to advance reading habits, to celebrate and embrace books written by local authors.
The competition is also aimed at bringing together minds, young and old, breaking the racial, gender and social status in pursuit of the same goal.
The competition includes book reviews, spelling bees and debates. They competed in IsiZulu, IsiSwati, IsiNdebele, Tsonga, English and other languages.
The winners will then compete in the regionals and after that will represent the province at a national level.
An ex-offender, Given Mqcina in his motivation, said such campaigns helped him a lot while in prison because they kept him going and set him to compete to be the best.
He added to say that a lot was expected from the inmates, and they should always aim high.
“Have faith, believe in yourself. We have passed the wrong assignment, that is why we are here, and now we have to pass the right to move in life. You need to come out here a changed person, learn from your mistakes, and sharpen your weapon as it is not easy outside. Change is a process; it takes time and success does not come easy, reading sharpens one’s mind. Officials will always be here to help you, take your second chance given to you to become a better person,” Mgcina said.
He said he is now a manager leading more than 500 people and is always willing to help in such programmes together with his organisation which is: ‘Touch is Move’ led by council speaker Clr Mduduzi Nkosi.
In his address, the area commissioner Rev Mandla Sibanyoni in his advice said the inmates need to compete in everything they do and that the reading skill will improve their behaviour.
“Take such opportunities seriously and be competed in whatever you are doing. Do away with substandard and be faultless. We expect a lot from you because we know that you can do it and be the best. Go out there and compete, and we will support you all the way.”
The National Library of South Africa in partnership with the Department of Correctional Services will host the 12th Funda Mzantsi Championship from October 3 to 7 in George.
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