Marianridge Primary School has claimed the coveted title of overall champions at the 2026 Reading Competition, held on 15 October 2026, at the Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) Student Centre. The annual event brought together bright young minds across Grades 4, 5, and 6 from six participating primary schools: Marianridge, Ngilosi, Emthethweni, Sukuma, Mgijimi, and Nonopha Primary School.
Marianridge Primary’s triumph rested on a dominant showing in the upper grades, taking the top overall position in both Grade 5 and Grade 6.
Attributing their success to a holistic learning approach, Marianridge Grade 6 English teacher Kuthula Gasa-Sithole explained that the school actively works to build student confidence and adaptability. “We encourage learners to make reading a lifestyle,” Gasa-Sithole said. “We place learners in different environments to improve their tone of speaking, which is one of the key areas on which they are evaluated during the competition. We emphasise confidence in everything they do and encourage them to read every day.”
Deputy Principal of the school, Sandile Nyawose echoed these sentiments, highlighting the school’s commitment to multilingualism. Nyawose noted that learners are strongly encouraged to embrace and value their indigenous languages alongside English.
The competition was a thrilling display of literacy, articulation, and comprehension across all three age groups. At the grade 4 level, Sukuma Primary School secured the overall grade title. Asemahle Zwezwe of Sukuma Primary took first place with 20 points, closely followed by Zanokuhle Dhi of Umgijimi Primary with 19 points, and Josephine Mhishi of Marianridge Primary in third with 18 points.
The grade 5 level was dominated by the Marianridge Primary, which executed a clean sweep, claiming the overall grade victory. Sisanda Cele led the field with 33 points, followed closely by Siphumelele Sibiya with 32 points, and Yamkela Gumede with 30 points.
At grade 6, Marianridge Primary once again took top overall school honours, led by Philasande Masango, who scored an impressive 52 points. Snazo Ndlovu, from Nonopha Primary, took second place with 47 points, and Amahle Radebe, from Ngilosi Primary, placed third with 46 points.
Organised in response to national surveys showing that many South African children in early schooling struggle to read for meaning, the initiative aims to reignite a passion for reading with comprehension. Dr Mfanozelwe Shozi, Deputy Director of MUT’s Centre for Community Engagement and Development (CEAD), emphasised the core mission of the initiative, which is to improve and ignite the passion for reading, and specifically reading with understanding.”
Distinguished guest Professor Mncedisi Maphalala, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research, Innovation, and Engagement at MUT, delivered an inspiring address to the participants. “Readers are leaders. You gain a lot from reading,” Professor Maphalala told the audience. He explained the dynamics of self-directed versus other-directed reading. “Where you don’t understand, consult a dictionary or the internet. And if you don’t win today, do not be discouraged.”
The event drew support from numerous community partners dedicated to promoting literacy and authorship among young learners. eThekwini Municipality Libraries’ Sibongile Doncabe urged learners to take pride in their mother tongues, acquire library cards, and aspire to become future authors. Dr Sipho Lombo, the author of eight books, encouraged the children to start writing their own stories. He shared practical guidance on how to begin a writing journey, emphasising the importance of first choosing a subject they are passionate about. Educational partners Shuter & Shooter and the Environment and Language Education Trust (ELET) also provided support. ELET donate a book to every learner that took part in the competition and also awarded the winners with dictionaries.