Bacha Ba Dichaba is a non-profit organisation founded by Thabang Dichaba, Sechaba Motsoeneng and Orlando Ngomane. It has operated legally from 2018 and offers services like spelling bee competitions, Maths Olympics, sports development, life skills and teen parenting either at schools or in communities.
Although the organisation was registered in 2018, it started operating in 2014 when one of the founders, Thabang Dichaba was volunteering at an organisation called SAYYC (South African Association of Youth Clubs). During that year, he led a program called ESP (Educational Support Programme) which sparked the idea of starting a spelling bee. Dichaba then approached schools around his community and managed to work with 36 learners from six primary schools as the project was new. “We decided to hear the plea of our community members as they would ask why we cannot host community spelling bee competitions whereas we always host primary school ones, hence this event. We also partnered with Kingsley Spelling Bee SA competition and it requested that we submit 24 students so they can participate with students from Limpopo and other provinces,” added Dichaba.
However, the organisation faces challenges in terms of funding. The gentlemen revealed that there are some activities they would like to host in order to uplift communities around the country. He also mentioned that they have managed to serve over 700 learners so far in the Ekurhuleni area. “We have a few sponsors helping us out and the Jerry Moloi library also helps us a lot. We have the 100% Foundation that helps us to give participants t-shirts, Bana Ba Sefapano that helps with admin, Letswalo Décor & Catering company that helps with the manufacturing of trophies and certificates. One of the participants who gunned for the third runner-up position Busisiwe Makhanya, an 11-year-old grade 5 learner at St. Francis College from Etwatwa was pleased with the event. “My daughter is so bright, she’s always eager to learn, so the spelling bee helps her to achieve her dreams,” uttered Faith Makhanya (Busisiwe’s mother).
Ntombenhle Angel Mdluli, a 15-year-old from Lesiba secondary school took the second runner up position and Alice Ndlovu, a 14-year-old from Topodi primary school scoped the first position. Anyone who wants to participate should be between the ages of 8-19 years. “We want to build a better future for our community so such educational activities are necessary. We see ourselves as one of the biggest spelling bee organisation just like Mzansi Magic Spelling Bee. We can only achieve this if we get sponsors and funding, so that we can be able to grow, however we are still going to host more spelling Bee competitions throughout the year,” expressed Motsoeneng.
By Palesa Ndinisa
