Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
City learners ready to fly flag for SA at African Spelling Bee
THE Western Cape African Spelling Bee winners participated in the National Preliminaries at Sun City.
The Western Cape team performed exceptionally well in the speed rounds and are now preparing for the Africa Spelling Bee in Ethiopia and demonstrating exceptional speed rounds.
Rhyle Adams, Ifeomamachukwu Osondo and Asiphile Ngutyana competed in a spelling competition against 27 juniors from six provinces in three challenging rounds.
The words covered a range of topics and levels of complexity. In round one, they had to correctly spell words from maths, science, and various languages.
In round two, learners were presented with Latin-derived words, SA slang, global food, Greek words, African loan words and national anthem words.
In round three, juniors were required to name flowers and human body parts, while seniors were required to name political movements, parties, and music-related words.
After the exhausting rounds, the learner who had spelt the most words correctly were ranked among the top five and given the same word to spell.
This method was used to determine the top three, and then the word “juxtapose”
was presented to Ifeomachukwu, in the junior division; she handled it with ease and took first place.
Team Western Cape was represented in the senior competition by Lauren Henderson, Asiyah Adams, Martina
Mlilo and Bayyinah Manjoo – all from Rustenburg Girls' High School.
The categories used in the speed rounds for the Sun City spelling bee came from different parts of the curriculum. To prepare for those rounds, learners had to consult the definitions in their textbooks.
Ifeomachukwu, a learner at St Mary's Primary School in the Gardens, is one of Africa's top three junior contestants.
Bayyinah and Lauren Henderson, who are representing the Western Cape in the African Spelling Bee SA Top 3 seniors are from Rustenburg Girls' High.
Spellers are urged to plan thoroughly, and the categories for the speed rounds were drawn from the entire curriculum.
Lauren Henderson, 17, who is in Grade 11, said she was getting ready to travel to Ethiopia for the competition.
“I'm naturally extremely excited for this upcoming event and can't wait to travel to Ethiopia in a few months time,” said Lauren.
She prepares by researching and reading books to enhance her vocabulary. Despite feeling honoured and nervous, she appreciates the support and the opportunity provided by the African Spelling Bee, describing it as an amazing experience.
Ifeomamachukwu, who is 13 and in Grade 7, expressed her pride after she had won one of the Top 3 positions and would be representing SA in Ethiopia later this year.
Ifeomamachukwu , inspired by Proverbs 3:5–6, emphasised the importance of trusting in the Lord and seeking His will.
She said she would put in significant effort, including sleepless nights, and praised her mentor, Mrs Gerner, for her dedication and preparation for the final competition.
She also appreciates the help she got from her family and the St Mary's community.
David Maynier, the Western Cape's Education MEC expressed his pride in the learners .
“I wish them the very best as they prepare for the competition in Ethiopia,” said Maynier.
The sixth season of the African Spelling Bee is to take place in Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia, from December 5-9.