SPELLING BEE BUILDS CONFIDENCE AND LITERACY AMONG SWANEVILLE LEARNERS

By THABO MOTLHABI

PASSING to the next grade is every parent’s wish, but academic success requires more than classroom lessons. For learners to thrive, they also need opportunities to build confidence, improve their vocabulary and develop their skills beyond the classroom.

Lesedi La Batsha After School hosted Spelling Bee Competition on 3 October at the Tshwaranang Disability Centre in Swaneville, West Rand.

The initiative aimed to promote literacy, reading and confidence while creating a fun and supportive environment where learners could strengthen their spelling, reading and writing skills.

The competition focused particularly on learners struggling with reading, spelling, writing and memorising difficult words. Participants were encouraged to use dictionaries and modern technology to understand unfamiliar words and improve their vocabulary.

The Grade 6-7 participants were Fezile Ludidi, Sibulele Tshaka and Lindelwa Ntwasa, while the Grade 4-5 category included Inam Mvokwe, Amuhle Zibula and Kabo Tsebempe.

Lesedi La Batsha After School founder and chairperson Kwena Exten Choshi said the programme was created to address literacy challenges.

“Most of the learners can’t spell and their vocabulary is lacking, which results in poor reading and writing. This programme was designed to address those challenges and look at how we can help our learners,” said Choshi.

He added that the competition was not only about winning, but also about learning, having fun and developing important academic skills.

Parent Nompumelelo Philile Mlotshwa said the initiative could help learners overcome fear and develop self-confidence.

“It all starts with believing in yourself and having confidence to prove yourself,” she said.

Winner Fezile Ludidi said the experience taught her how to memorise and spell difficult words.

The event ended with participants receiving certificates and medals for their efforts, while overall winner Ludidi received a certificate, trophy and medal.

For Lesedi La Batsha After School, the Spelling Bee was more than a competition—it was an investment in young minds and a step towards creating confident readers, writers and learners in Swaneville.