SOUTH AFRICA—Eleven-year-old Elizabeth Githembe (Liza) of the Johannesburg congregation was nominated in February to participate in the Ekhuruleni Municipality Libraries’ annual reading competition, “The Strongest Link.”

The initiative includes all 45 libraries in Ekurhuleni, and is open to sixth-through-12th-graders. From May to December, participants read books and write summaries in a log monitored by the library staff, which then nominates the most prolific readers. Liza read 100 books during the time period, qualifying for the competition. Of the 162 nominees, she was one of only two homeschooled children.

When Liza was nominated, the first thing her family prayed for was that the assigned books would be appropriate, and God answered the prayers.

The reading contest took place April 25, and Liza competed in a group of 22 children in the sixth- and seventh-grade English language category.

In the intense first round, each participant answered 10 questions about the three books they had been assigned to read. Liza tied with another student for third finalist. In the tie-beaker, she qualified to contest two other students in the final round.

“When they started asking us questions, I was a bit tense, but as time went, I really enjoyed the competition,” Liza said.

The three finalists tied several times. After a series of more tie-breakers, Liza emerged the winner in her category, winning a prize of R2,000 (about $200).

Liza says she plans to buy some items with her winnings, including a pair of Irish dancing shoes.