Details of DBE – Spelling Bee
As part of the Read to Lead Campaign, the DBE hosts the DBE Spelling Bee South Africa (National spelling bee championship) annually. A spelling bee is a game in which the participants compete in spelling words orally. The National spelling bee championship which targets learners in Grade 4 to 6 (the intermediate phase) is aimed at improving learners’ performance in languages, especially in English.
A call is hereby made for all schools with the intermediate phase to encourage learners to participate in the 2024 National spelling bee championship.
The procedure for participation in the 2024 Spelling Bee is to fill in the registration form which must be stamped by the school and faxed/sent through to the provincial coordinator of the Spelling Bee. Parents of learners enrolled for Home Education are advised to request the Principal of the nearest school to support and stamp the form for them.
The Intermediate phase is still the only category for the competition whose winners will proceed to the National championship. Schools are requested to first hold the competition in class before the joint intermediate phase championship. It is expected that schools will hold circuit/cluster spelling bees before the winners proceed to the district and provincial championship.
Upon receipt of the registration form in which names of the Intermediate phase winners are entered, the provincial coordinator will organise a workshop for schools to explain the rules of the competition as well as conduct elimination rounds up to the provincial level.
The DBE will receive the names of the provincial winners and host a Spelling Competition on 23 September 2024 in Pretoria.
The 2024 Spelling words for use by learners may be accessed here or be obtained from the provincial coordinator. The participation rules may also be downloaded on the same web page.
The closing date for the competition will be on or before 29 April 2024.
For further enquiries, kindly contact Mr PJ Ngoepe, Sport and Enrichment on 012 357 3442 (and via email: ngoepe.pj@dbe.gov.za)
All schools, including Special schools, are invited to enter. Participation in the programme is free.
PROVINCIAL SPELLING BEE COORDINATORS
PROVINCE | NAME/S | TELEPHONE | FAX NUMBER | EMAIL ADDRESS |
Northern Cape | Ms B Khumalo | 053 839 6407/6484 | berylkhumalo@gmail.com | |
Western Cape | Ms P Smit | 021 467 2244 | 021 467 9369/0214672056 | Portia.smit@westerncape.gov.za |
Free State | Ms K Plaatjie | 0514308251/4134/1045 | 051 430 8251 | Plaatjiek@edu.freestate.gov.za Letsoaras@gmail.com |
North West | Ms B Masilela | 081 397 3064 | bmasilela@nwpg.gov.za | |
Gauteng | Mr M Venter | 011 843 6776 | 086 544 9801 | Marius.venter@gauteng.gov.za |
Eastern Cape | Mr CC Blignaut |
0604466166 | 0406084614 | cc1blignaut@gmail.com |
Limpopo | Ms DM Mohlaba | 015 291 2658 | 0865449801 | mohlabadn@edu.limpopo.gov.za |
Kwa-Zulu Natal | Ms T Vilakazi | 0338465589/5572 | 0866518167/0338465572 | Thokozile.vilakazi@kzndoe.gov.za |
Mpumalanga | Mr Vusi Mathenjwa | 013 766 5822 | 0865664190 | mathvj@gmail.com |