Ulundi High crowned 2024 World Book Day winners
MBABANE – Ulundi High was crowned the 2024 World Book and Copyright Day School winners at the Bhunya Hall on Friday.
The small school from a remote corner of the country took the first place, impressing the judges with their passion for literature and strong grasp of writing skills.
Five schools were commemorating World Book and Copyright Day. Schools that attended the event included Bhunya Central High, Sikanye High, Mpuluzi High, Bhunya Usuthu High and Ulundi High.
Contest
The different categories that the five schools were competing in included, read-aloud contests, spelling bees, manuscript speech presentations, extemporaneous and impromptu speech presentations.
Companies that sponsored the event included, Orchard Insurance, Imisebe
Publishers, Macmillan Education Eswatini, Bible Society of Eswatini, Times of Eswatini, as well as Bhunya New Life Global Church. Bhunya Usuthu High School representative Sicelo Zondo said they were happy with the event, as it was a first of its kind to them.
He thanked the companies who sponsored the event and all the teachers of hte schools that were present.
He further said it was important for them to acknowledge such an important event, further emphasising that learning is important.
“We are all where we are today because of learning,
“I mean learning, in the sense of education and reading. Any contribution is something we will not forget,” he said.
Also present was Oscar Ntshalintshali from Orchard Insurances, who encouraged students to read the bible and know it to live upright lives.
He said by doing so they would become respectable and successful.
“As we are continuing to read the Holy Bible, as students, we must also be proud of our teachers. I say to you teachers today, you are winners.
Taught
“Even in the hall that we are in today, there was a teacher behind its construction and taught students how to build it.
“I am proud of where I am today because a teacher taught me well,” he stated.
He also emphasised that the students must take learning seriously, stating that it was very important for a country to develop through education.
He told the learners that without education the country could not develop in any way, as students are the future of the country.
Ulundi secured 356 points and went home with the Orchard reading champions’ trophy as well as Imisebe terrestrial globe. Second place was Bhunya Usuthu High School with 350 points, where they took home the Orchard 1st runner-up trophy and Imisebe terrestrial globe. Third place was Mpuluzi High School, with 321 points.
Trophy
They took home the Orchard’s 2nd runner-up trophy and Imisebe terrestrial globe.
World Book and Copyright Day is an annual event that celebrates the importance of reading, writing and protecting the copyright of books and other creative works.
The day was first celebrated in 1995, and it is now observed in over 100 countries around the world.
It also serves as a reminder of the importance of literacy and copyright protection and encourages people of all ages to enjoy the pleasures of reading and to respect the rights of authors and publishers.