Words of Power: Swaneville Learners Shine at Heritage Spelling Bee Competition
Thabo Motlhabi
Young learners from Swaneville took centre stage on Saturday, 03 Oct 2026, as Lesedi La Batsha After School hosted a Heritage Spelling Bee Competition aimed at promoting literacy, reading and confidence among children.
The event was held at Tshwaranang Disability Centre and brought together learners, parents and community members in a celebration of education and the development of young minds. Based in West Rand township of Swaneville, Lesedi La Batsha After School organised the initiative to create a fun and supportive learning environment where children could improve their spelling, reading and writing skills.
The programme also sought to encourage a culture of reading while helping learners build confidence and self-belief.
The organisation believes that every child has a right to qualify for education and should be given opportunities to learn, express themselves and develop their ability in an enjoyable environment.
The Heritage Spelling Bee Competition was particularly focused on challenges faced by learners who struggle with reading, spelling, writing and memorising difficult words. Learners were encouraged to use dictionaries and modern technologies as additional tools to help them understand unfamiliar words and improve their vocabulary.
Learners per Grades
Grade 6-7
*Fezile Ludidi
* Sibulele Tshaka
* Lindelwa Ntwasa
Grade 4-5
*Inam Mvokwe
*Amuhle Zibula
*Kabo Tsebempe
Founder and Chairperson of Lesedi La Batsha After School, Kwena Exten Choshi, said initiatives such as the Spelling Bee were important to in addressing literacy challenges while motivating learners to believe in themselves:
“Most of the learners can’t spell, and also 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.”
He said, “The competition was not only about winning but also about creating a plan where learners could learn, have fun and develop important academic skills.”
For the participants, the event provided an opportunity to overcome fear, stand in front of the audience and put their knowledge to the test.
Parent of the competition winner, Miss. Nompumelelo Philile Mlotshwa, highlighted the role such initiatives can play in building confidence among children.
“How Spelling Bee can influence a learner in their confidence and academics. Many children lack self-trust and believe in themselves; due to doubt and unsure thinking, they show that they allow fear to give the correct answers and lack trust in the results. It all starts with believing in yourself and having confidence to prove yourself.”
Mlotshwa said, “Also, it teaches their mindset to focus and know from small words to challenging words to speak, spell and know the meaning for life. Words themselves are power to know them and acknowledge them, not just for the activity, but to know for knowledge. It takes observation in reading, speaking and spelling, and so much more that can also help in their academics in school.”
Her message to learners was simple: believe in yourself and have the confidence to prove yourself.
Participants eagerly competed against one another while enjoying the excitement and the experience on the bigger stage. Their parents and community members also came in support, creating an encouraging atmosphere for the young competition.
Fezile Ludidi, as the Heritage Spelling Bee Competition, said the experience helped her to develop new skills:
“I have learnt to memorise words and to spell hard words rather than the words I know.”
The competition demonstrated that learners can be both educational and enjoyable while providing children with practical opportunities to improve their vocabulary skills and literacy skills.
For Lesedi La Batsha After School, the Heritage Spelling Bee was more than a competition. It was an investment in young minds and a step towards creating confident readers, writers and learners within the Swaneville community.
At the conclusion of the campaign, participants received certificates according to categories and medals in recognition of their efforts. The overall winner, Fezile Ludidi, was awarded a certificate, a trophy and a medal.
Grade 4-5
1st price R300
2nd position Medals certificate and Goodies
3rd position: Medals and Certificate
Grade 6-7
1st position: R 700
2nd position: Medals, certificate Goodies
3rd position: Medals and Certificate