​​​The Johannesburg Zoo hosted an exciting event as the City of Joburg Library and Information Services held the Battle of the Books 2024 finals on 30 October 2024. This year, four schools selected from a pool of 173 competitors participated in the final round to showcase their comprehension skills.

Malvern Primary School emerged as the winner, proudly taking first place. They were followed by Mikateka Primary School in second place, Parktown Public Primary School in third, and Unified Primary School in fourth. The competition challenged pupils to demonstrate their understanding of various books, and work as a team.

Nonhlanhla Ntsele from Malvern Primary School expressed pride in her team’s performance and shared how the competition benefits the pupils. “Reading is fun. You expand your imagination, and your vocabulary improves. Reading fluently also gets better. This competition brought the reading culture we need to instil in our learners, so I appreciate the library for introducing this event,” she said.

Ben Ramela, the Deputy Director of Library and Information Services, emphasised the value of the Battle of the Books in motivating young learners. “This competition motivates children and builds their confidence. It also improves their comprehension, vocabulary, and overall interest in reading.”

The Battle of the Books 2024 highlighted the positive impact of reading and encouraged young learners to see books as gateways to knowledge and imagination.

Written by Nomagugu Masondo
30/10/2024

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