On the 27th of May 2022, bacha Ba Dichaba (BBD) gave primary and secondary schools based in Etwatwa and Daveyton a chance to compete at their 8th annual competition which was held at Tshepo Themba Multi purpose Centre.
The competition aimed to extract 24 candidates that will raise the South African flag at the upcoming national spelling bee competition. Through five exhilarating rounds of the competition, 24 candidates were selected. The remaining participants who could not earn a spot amongst the chosen 24 candidates got medals and certificates to remunerate their participation and encourage them to improve their spelling skills.
Bacha Ba Dichaba (BBD) is a non-profit organisation that started hosting local spelling bee competitions in the year 2014, under the leadership of Thabang Gift Lichaba. These competitions progressed without stable sponsorship over the past eight years however after BBD attained a first position at the provincial spelling bee competition last year which took place at Limpopo, they got the opportunity to compete at the national level this year.
After eight yet progressive years of hosting these spelling bee competitions, BBD realised its dream of having not only one but 24 candidates that will compete and represent South Africa at the national spelling bee competition that will be held at Lesotho.
“After attending a spelling bee competition held at Springs I noticed the lack of black learners participating in such competitions which is why I initiated these spelling bee competitions in our community under the umbrella of Bacha Ba Dichaba,” said Thabang.
Ntombizodwa Pitso, an educator at Ntsikane primary school expressed how the achievement of the learners who participated in the competition would elevate the standard of their school and improve the literacy skills of the learners who participated in the competition, and motivate the improvement of the learners who could not participate in the competition at local individual schools.
“Thank you Bacha Ba Dichaba for allowing us to showcase our talent at the national competition,” said Khaya Khumalo who is one of the 24 candidates.
The National competition will take place at A.M.E hall, Maseru located in Lesotho on the 23rd of September. Considering the date of the competition, BBD will now focus on assisting the 24 candidates in terms of training and gathering funds for travel expenses, accommodation, and food from different sponsors and donors.
Since BBD is a non-profit organization(NPO) they request the communities from Ekurhuleni municipality at large to donate whatever amount of money that will assist them in terms of preparations for the national competition. For more inquiries regarding the donations please contact BBD at 071 015 9573 or 063 468 0872.
By Rhulani Fundzama