CAPE TOWN-A young reader from Lotus River is hoping to clinch her second title at this year’s national book competition taking place later this month.
Cassidy Hendricks (10) is a Grade 4 learner at Ferndale Primary School and enjoys spending her hours after school reading her favourite books.
She also enjoys reading at old-age homes and schools in her neighbourhood.
In 2023, she won first prize in the provincial and national SA Literacy Association’s annual reading competition in the category of English First Language Grade 2. She was the only primary school learner to compete from the Western Cape, and competed against learners from other provinces.
In 2022, she walked away with second prize in the national reading competition.
Hendricks told People’s Post that she is looking forward to competing at this year’s championships.
“This is my third time participating at this year’s Literacy championships but it’s the first time it’s taking place online via Google Meet. My book of choice I’m reading is Charlotte’s Web by E B White.
“I’ve also read over 350 books this year, many of which I’ve re-read,” explains the young bookworm. She says her goal is to win the competition for the second time.
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde also paid the young avid reader a visit at her home to celebrate World Literacy Day on Saturday 6 September.
During his visit he wished her the best of luck as she takes part in the reading championships.
“On World Literacy Day, I want to introduce an inspiring young reader I recently had the privilege of meeting. With the incredible support of her grandparents and community, she has already achieved so much.
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“And more success awaits her! Cassidy will represent the Western Cape in this year’s South African Literacy Association reading competition. Her story shows how a love for books and reading can open doors to endless possibilities. We are backing her all the way and I look forward to seeing her shine,” he wrote on his Facebook page.
Hendricks’ grandma Brenda Tommy is immensely proud of her granddaughters achievements so far.
“She has been consistently achieving 100% in her mathematics and her natural science. She gifted the church for all our ladies at our women’s circle that was launched on Women’s Day a bottle of spring water and she had a custom-made label for the water bottles. She also gifted two bespoke hand painted tiles which she got a design for. She has to paint the tiles which she does as a little income for herself,” Tommy said.
Hendricks also launched a cycling initiative with the help of Fairmont High School earlier this year.
“A few months ago, with the help of Fairmont High, she launched Cassidy’s cyclists because she couldn’t ride a bicycle and the school’s cyclists came to assist with a demonstration which was a fun event for all ages at our church because she had gifted them with a paddle for the Cape Town cycle event in March. She also scored 88% for the SA Literary Association’s final round which took her through to the finals,” Tommy said.
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