By Ndalo Mbombo
The spirit of collaboration continues to create moments of advocacy for social change. In a collaborative effort, the Library and Archives Services (LAS), the Department of Correctional Services and the Department of Languages facilitated an activity-packed book club competition. Eight clubs representing the six municipal districts of the Eastern Cape participated in a friendly competition that put competitors’ general knowledge of their province to the test.
Over two days, book clubs from Ndlambe, Port St Johns, Mhlontlo, Dr Beyers Naude, Makana and OR Tambo gathered in contest. Participants included Gr 10 and 11 learners, members of the South African Library for the Blind, and inmates from Grahamstown and Middledrift Correctional facilities.
“The book clubs are a tool to make available material to members for reading which is designed to help learners enhance their reading and public speaking skills” said Director of LAS Nombulelo Ndzuzo. The initiative is sustained by the combined efforts of teachers, all passionate about literature. The program consisted of four activities: a quiz, izaci namaqhalo [idioms and proverbs], a debate, charades and an Afrikaans quiz. There were a mix of fun and formal exercises all directed at testing members’ general knowledge of the Eastern Cape. In addition, current social issues such as illegal immigration, were among topics debated. “Being part of the book club is going to help you explore a lot, I personally got to conquer my fears of public speaking” said Kgeoe Solomzi Gr 10 learner from the Makana district book club.
This year’s theme for the Eastern Cape Literature-festival “where books, music & culture collide” created an enjoyable learning opportunity and a chance for members to engage with their peers. Club members expressed their appreciation of the event and shared in the joy and celebration through performing praise poetry performances and amagwijo [songs of celebration]with audiences.
