An annual spelling bee competition featuring learners from Thopodi Primary School, Melodi Primary School, Dan Pharase Primary School, Rolihlahla Primary School, Sizakhele Primary School, Slindokuhle Primary School, Ntsikana Primary School, Katlego Primary School, Madingoane Primary School and Baikagetse Primary School was held on the 29th of May 2021 at Tshepo Themba Multipurpose Centre.
The event was successful and fulfilling not only to the participants but the parents and guardians too. One of the organisers, Thabang Dichaba from an organisation called Bacha Ba Dichaba Explorers showed his gratitude and showed how ecstatic he was with the outcome of the event. “The event went exceptionally well. We were sponsored by 100% Foundation and they managed to get us things like refreshments and stationery for our top 10 participants, as well as t-shirts. Lerato Selepe bought medals for every participant and we’re also thankful to SAAYC for organising a venue for us. We are an NPO yet the support we receive is amazing. As an organiser, I am still looking for funders for the top 20 students that need to represent us in Limpopo, since we are invited to the Kingsley Spelling bee competition. In a nutshell, we’ll appreciate more funding for our participants,” added Dichaba.
There is a top 10 that qualifies to go to Limpopo in October. The students are grade 6 and grade 7 learners. The top 5 from the grade 6 group are; Thato Matdhile, Kgosiame Sekoebetlane, Khaya Khumalo, Ntombifuthi Nguza and Ntombenhle Mdluli. The top 5 from the grade 7 group are: Sihle Dlamini, Lucia Sithole, Kutloano Mahlobogoane, Dineo Masete and Asavela Buyeye. The leaner who took the number one title in the grade 7 group is Sihle Dlamini from Thopodi Primary School and the runner up position was taken by Asavela Buyeye from Ntsikana Primary School. Number one from the grade 6 group is Ntombifuthi Nguza and she was followed by Lucia Sithole from Sazakhela Primary School who held the second position spot.
The current top 10 learners will be added to the top 10 students who participated and won on the spelling bee that was held on the 27th of March 2021 at Jerry Moloi Library in Etwatwa and they will all represent Gauteng in the Kingsley Spelling Bee competition.
By Palesa Ndinisa and Vusumuzi Makwakwa