The 2026 Literacy Festival was held on 15 September 2026 at Michaelhouse and was organised by the Michaelhouse Community Partnership Trust (MCPT) in partnership with Khanyisa Inanda Community Project (KICP). The event brought together 12 primary schools, 150 learners, 35 teachers, four principals, two KICP judges, and Judy Tate, Executive Director of KICP. The festival celebrated literacy, creativity, learner achievement, and collaboration among schools.
The festival aimed to promote literacy development, build learner confidence, encourage reading and sound recognition, provide opportunities for creative expression, and create an engaging environment for learning. It also allowed teachers and principals to share experiences and strengthened collaboration between MCPT, KICP, and participating schools.
Learners from Grades 1, 2 and 3 participated in three competition categories. Grade 1 learners competed in Sounds Using Ezweni Lonkamisa, Grade 2 learners demonstrated their reading skills through Reading Words, and Grade 3 learners showcased creativity, communication and confidence through drama. Each category provided learners with an opportunity to demonstrate their developing skills in front of an audience.
The competition recognised top-performing schools in each category. Curry’s Post Primary School won Grade 1, Lions River Primary School won Grade 2, and Crystal Springs Primary School won Grade 3 Drama. The programme also included teacher and principal testimonies, entertainment, prize-giving and lunch packs.
Overall, the festival successfully encouraged learner participation, confidence, teamwork, creativity and literacy development. It provided a valuable platform for celebrating achievements while strengthening relationships between MCPT, KICP, teachers, principals and participating schools.
