The future is looking bright for Luzuko Primary School pupil Mpho Mahloane after she walked away with the second prize in a national storytelling competition.
Twelve-year-old Mpho received a certificate on Wednesday November 30 for coming second in the annual multilingual Story Bosso Talent Search, run by Nal’ibali, a national reading-for-enjoyment campaign.
Mpho, who won the provincial leg of the contest in September, also landed a R1 000 cheque from Nal’ibali.
Speaking about her achievement, the Grade 7 pupil who dreams of one day becoming both a lawyer and a writer, said she had grown up with a love for reading, although she has no favourite writer.
Growing up with her grandparents in Gugulethu, she is grateful to them for always encouraging her to read.
An excited Mpho said she could not believe her teachers when they told her she was second best nationally.
“I would have loved to win the first prize. I am told the winner is based in Gauteng. But I did well even though I did not expect to win. My library attendances have paid dividends. I read a lot. I read all kinds of books including newspapers and magazines,” she said.
She thanked her teachers, especially her Xhosa teacher, Lizo Lucwaba, for his “no-nonsense” approach.
“He is a good teacher who wants the best from his pupils. Credit to him and all the teachers. I am happy I will leave him and the school with something to remember me. I will be doing my high school in Khayelitsha, at Luhlaza High School. I leave my school with a broken heart, but I know I have to grow,” she said.
Mr Lucwaba was equally full of praises for his pupil.
“She likes her books. She will never disappoint. Mpho is that kind of a child that takes over from the teachers. She always encourages others to read and to listen. She is a hard worker with bright future,” he said.
Praises also came from the school principal, Noxolo Nonkonyane, who said she hoped to come across more pupils like Mpho . “We always urge them to read more books. We are privileged to have such dedicated pupils. In the past we had more of Mpho’s kind,” she said.
Ms Nonkonyane has assured that come next year, there will be more winners at her school.
