Indigenous language Spelling Bee winners
THE USiba Loluntu indigenous language Spelling Bee competition in Gugulethu yesterday saw Lerato Koloti, 12, beat 84 other children in a close final to take home gold.
The NGO, which works to improve literacy among children, hosted the event in partnership with the National library of SA. It was attended by teachers and parents.
Grade 7 pupil Bonollo Sello, 12, scooped silver, and said the competition had taught her to appreciate her mother tongue, Sotho.
“It feels great, I’ve learnt to love and cherish my language at all times,” Sello said.
Gomolemo Mokhanya, 11, came in third and said: “I couldn’t believe it that I won! I’m glad I won a trophy. The Spelling Bee competition has taught me how to spell words.”
USiba Loluntu founder Sandile Mbejwa said the number of participants had increased from 65 last year.
Organisers had intentionally steered clear of hosting the competition in English.
“The competition this year focused on indigenous languages including Xhosa, Sotho, and Afrikaans – they are among the most commonly spoken languages in the Western Cape.
“We want to instil in the children that they should pride themselves on their language, as it is part of their identity,” Mbejwa said.
Statistics SA’s most recent General Household Survey showed nationally, just over 25.3% of individuals spoke Zulu at home, while 14.8% spoke Xhosa, and 12.2% spoke Afrikaans.
English was spoken by 8.1% of individuals at home, making it the sixth most common home language in South Africa. The winners each received a trophy and certificate.
“The organisation is in partnership with Robben Island and Table Mountain and takes disadvantaged children on free tours to allow the children to learn more about the history of Cape Town and South Africa.
“We also want to distance children from experiencing constant bad behaviour, and expose them to positivity, for them to see what is out there in the world,” Mbejwa said.