Image: Luthando Mafueka(center)
An Ermelo English Primary School learner has earned provincial and national recognition after an outstanding performance in the 2026 Reading Riot literacy competition.
Luthando Mafueka finished second in Mpumalanga and achieved an impressive 17th place nationally, placing him among South Africa's top young readers. He represented Mpumalanga at the Reading Riot National Finals, held at the University of Pretoria on 27 June, where he received a National Finalist Certificate of Excellence in recognition of his achievement.
Reading Riot is a national literacy competition that challenges learners' reading fluency, comprehension and confidence through a series of qualifying rounds, with top-performing learners from each province advancing to the national finals.
Luthando's achievement highlights him as one of the province's strongest Grade 6 readers and reflects the high standard of literacy development at Ermelo English Primary School.
His success is a proud accomplishment for both Ermelo English Primary School and the local community, demonstrating that learners from Ermelo can compete with the best young readers in South Africa.