The Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, has officially received the African Spelling Bee Championship trophy from South African learners who secured first place at the continental competition held in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Team South Africa emerged as overall champions at the Africa leg of the spelling bee competition, with learner Ashton Singh also achieving second place in the Junior Division.
The eighth season of the African Spelling Bee was held at the end of March with more than 30 African countries competing.
The South African learners’ performance marked a significant achievement for the country on the continental stage.
Gwarube congratulated the learners for their outstanding accomplishment, describing their success as a clear demonstration of the connection between literacy and excellence.
“A reading nation is a winning nation. These learners have shown us that when we cultivate a strong culture of reading, we unlock the full potential of our young people,” said Gwarube.
The Minister highlighted the importance of extra-curricular activities such as spelling bees in strengthening foundational literacy.
She noted that such initiatives encourage learners to engage deeply with literature and language, expand their vocabulary, and build confidence.
She also underscored the role of partnerships in advancing literacy outcomes, acknowledging the contribution of organisations such as A Better Africa and other stakeholders in supporting reading initiatives across the country.
Gwarube stressed that government cannot build a reading nation alone, pointing to the need for collaboration between organisations, schools, teachers, and parents to ensure every child has the opportunity to read, learn, and succeed.
The Department of Basic Education has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting a culture of reading through programmes and collaborations that extend beyond the classroom and inspire lifelong learning.
The trophy presentation ceremony served not only as a celebration of continental success but also as a renewed call to action for all South Africans to contribute to building a reading nation and, ultimately, a winning nation. – SAnews.gov.za
