2024 Top 6 Spelling Bee finalists: Back row; left to right: Kesia Mooka (GP), Ryhle Adams (WC), Karabo Matsapola (GP) Seated, left to right: Ifoema Osondo (WC), Sophia Pillay (KZN), Ashton Singh (KZN). Picture: Supplied.
Sun City
South Africa’s top junior and senior spellers will compete in the 2025 National Spelling Bee Finals on 11 December at Sun City Resort in the North West. The finalists advanced through local competitions, district eliminations and provincial championships.
South Africa’s top junior and senior spellers will compete in the 2025 National Spelling Bee Finals on 11 December at Sun City Resort in the North West. The finalists advanced through local competitions, district eliminations and provincial championships.
The South African National Spelling Bee, now in its 15th year, is a joint programme of the A Better Africa Foundation and the Department of Basic Education (DBE), in partnership with the National Education Collaboration Trust (NECT) and literacy organisations including Nal’ibali.
Roger Dickinson, CEO of the South African Spelling Bee, said the competition awards national colours for spelling and promotes reading and literacy among learners. “Every word a child learns strengthens the standing of the nation,” Dickinson said.
The finals include multiple rounds testing all 11 official languages and South African Sign Language (SASL). This year’s programme also includes a support component for parents and caregivers and recreational activities for the contestants at Sun City.
According to the organisers, many finalists have taken part in previous years, preparing through practice, work on pronunciation patterns and study of word roots. Dickinson said this year’s competition includes a written component featuring Italian and Shona words.
Once the top three spellers in each category are selected, they will compete for the national titles. The winners will represent South Africa at the African Spelling Bee finals in Zimbabwe in March 2026.
