Reading Riot 2026: A Champion Crowned, A Teacher Rewarded
1 July 2026From nearly 12,000 learners to one national champion: Reading Riot, South Africa's flagship reading-for-meaning competition, celebrates the country's brightest young readers.
PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA – A Grade 6 learner from the Western Cape has been crowned South Africa's Best Grade 6 Reader after emerging as the national winner from a field of nearly 12,000 learners who took part in the 2026 Reading Riot competition. Adding to the celebrations, the winning learner's teacher drove away in a brand-new BAIC X55, recognising the vital role educators play in nurturing a lifelong love of reading.
The National Champion
Beth Kirk from St Cyprian's School claimed the national title during the Reading Riot National Literacy Celebration, held on 27 June 2026 at the University of Pretoria's Centenary Hall. Her Grade 6 teacher, Karli Trollip, received the vehicle, sponsored by ABSA and BAIC, in recognition of the dedication and guidance that helped develop one of South Africa's strongest young readers.
The Top Three
This year's national finalists represented the very best from across the country, with 27 provincial champions competing for the top spot:
- Beth Kirk – St Cyprian's School (Western Cape)
- Keabetswe Makhata – Progress Primary School (Northern Cape)
- Finn Theunissen – Grey Junior School (Eastern Cape)
From left: EyeBrainGym Director Stephen Marshall; Lectorsa Visionary Marietjie Fourie; national finalists Finn Theunissen (3rd), Keabetswe Makhata (2nd) and Beth Kirk, South Africa's Best Grade 6 Reader; winning teacher Karli Trollip; Senior Manager at ABSA Monique Lemmer; and ABSA Strategic Partnership Manager Qhayiya Linda.
School and Principal Awards
Laerskool Bakenkop received the prestigious Ace Squadron – Master of the AIUF Skies award for whole-school reading excellence, while principal Willie Fourie received the Top Principal Award for his commitment to fostering a culture of literacy.
From left: Hein Delport, representing principal Willie Fourie and recipient of the Top Principal Award; Minda Marshall, Director of Lectorsa; and Elstine VD Walt, teacher at Laerskool Bakenkop and winner of the Ace Squadron – Master of the AIUF Skies award.
About the Competition
Organised by Lectorsa and powered by EyeBrainGym, Reading Riot is a reading-for-meaning competition that positions reading as a competitive sport. The 2026 competition reached 11,886 Grade 6 learners from all nine provinces, contested over four rounds: from a national online warm-up through school and provincial rounds, all the way to the national finals.
Reading Riot focuses on silent reading fluency and the ability to understand, interpret and apply information, helping learners adapt their reading techniques to different purposes and contexts.
Voices From the Celebration
Wallace Isaacs, Deputy Director of Student Recruitment and Enrolment at the University of Pretoria, welcomed the finalists and described it as a privilege to partner with Reading Riot in inspiring a passion for reading and reading for meaning. He introduced the university's JuniorTukkie Initiative, which connects learners with the institution from a young age, and noted that the University of Pretoria continues to rank among the world's leading universities. He emphasised that no single organisation can improve literacy on its own, calling on institutions, organisations and communities to work together to build a stronger culture of reading, and concluded by thanking everyone who contributed to Reading Riot and to helping South Africa's children become better readers.
Carlton Mukwevho, Secretary-General of the South African National Commission for UNESCO, recognised Reading Riot as an important initiative in addressing South Africa's literacy challenges. He commended Lectorsa for its commitment to helping learners become better readers and described the competition as an important investment in the country's future.
Thomas Marshall, R&D Specialist and Director of EyeBrainGym, congratulated the finalists on reaching the national stage, describing their achievement as a reflection of perseverance and commitment. He encouraged learners to continue developing their reading-for-meaning skills, highlighting that literacy opens doors to future opportunities and plays a vital role in building stronger communities and a more prosperous nation.
When opportunity meets preparation, there are no limitations. Today is not only about reading; it is about your future and the future of our nation. We are going to create a holy riot for literacy and reading for meaning. We are going to turn the tide, see our communities rise and witness a South Africa that has not existed before.
Minda Marshall, Reading Specialist and Director of Lectorsa, explained that Reading Riot is built around silent reading fluency and reading-for-meaning skills that extend beyond simply reading words on a page. She said the competition helps learners develop the ability to understand, interpret and apply information while learning to adapt their reading techniques according to different purposes and contexts.
Monique Lemmer, Senior Manager at ABSA, congratulated the finalists and reminded learners that every challenge forms part of their personal journey. She paid tribute to teachers for the lasting impact they have on shaping young lives and celebrated the opportunity to recognise the winning teacher with a BAIC X55.
Thank You to Our Partners
Reading Riot 2026 was made possible through the support of EyeBrainGym, Lectorsa, ABSA and BAIC, whose partnership continues to inspire thousands of young South Africans to discover the power of reading with meaning.