George is hosting the 8th Funda Mzantsi Championship which started on Monday.
The reading competition where all Centre for the Book affiliated book clubs compete against each other, was started as part of the Centre for the Book mandate to inculcate a culture of reading amongst South Africans.
Winners of the competition take home medals and trophies.
According to a statement from George Municipality, “it has been eight years since the National Library of South Africa's Centre for the Book started Funda Mzantsi project to support and assist communities to establish and sustain book clubs.”
“The project was in response to the survey conducted by the South African Book Development Council in 2007 on general reading habits in South African Communities.”
“It was revealed that South Africa is not a reading nation. Book clubs were established in communities and schools. In 2013 the Department of Correctional Services upon realising the role played by the National Library of South Africa's Centre and Centre for the Book in the rehabilitation of their offenders, decided to join hands with these organisations.”
George Municipality said it had been “a partner in this great initiative since 2016 and will once again partner with the other stakeholders in hosting the 8th Championship.
Captions: Funda1: Dr Eddy Maepa, Executive Director: National Library, Ald Melvin Naik, Executive Mayor of George, Prof. Rocky Ralebipi-Simela, National Librarian & CEO: National Library and Mr Delekile Klaas, Western Cape Regional Commissioner during the National Funda Mzantsi Championship.
(Statement and Pics supplied)
