In a statement dated 16th December, 2022 it was revealed that the African Spelling Bee Federation has successfully hosted its 5th African Spelling Bee Championship in Blantyre, Malawi between the 6th and 11th December 2022.
It was further mentioned how every year, the African Spelling Bee Federation calls on National Spelling Bee Champions from various African countries to compete for the ultimate African Spelling Bee Championship.
Also revealed was that founded in 2016 by 10 spelling organizations from Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Nigeria, Malawi, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe, the competition has grown to include representatives from 21 African countries, impacting over 10 million learners across the continent.
Said to be hosted at the prestigious Golden Peacock Hotel in Blantyre, Malawi, the event expanded beyond a classic one-word per speller bee to include a fun African General Knowledge Quiz and a Speed Spelling competition to determine the top Team Prize.
According to the African Spelling Bee Federation, the series of literacy competitions inspired the learners to challenge their knowledge of the beautiful African continent deepening their roots of the Pan-African spirit.
“The African Spelling Bee is more than a spelling competition,” said Aaron Kirunda, outgoing Chairperson of the Federation’s Executive Committee.
“Our dream is that these children and young people will build deep and lasting relationships, built on excellence, mutual respect and integrity with the hope that in years to come, when they are the leaders of our countries’ businesses and institutions, they will together build a better Africa,” added Kirunda.
The Chairperson also praised the excellent organizing of the event by the Malawi Spelling Bee and their Director Lewis Mbaula stating that “The hosting of the event by the Malawi Spelling Bee was first class and Mbaula and his team need to be commended for their efforts in pulling off such a historic event. We truly felt like we were in the Warm Heart of Africa.”
He added, “Despite the incredible challenges spelling bee organisations faced over the last few years due to COVID-19, which resulted in the 2020 and 2021 events being postponed ,the 5th African Spelling Bee was an overwhelming success.”
Also included in the statement was that the tangible excitement among the participants was incredibly palpable that it was impossible to only support one team adding that watching the learners form friendships and share ideas gave life to the dream of seeing a united and progressive African future.
According to the statement, in the end, the results were as follows:
In the Team Competition the winning countries were:
1st place Nigeria
2nd place Uganda
3rd place South Africa
Also mentioned was that the one-word per speller competition took place, in a Grande Finale, in Junior and Senior Categories and the winners are as follows:
Junior Category
1st Place Elozino Daphne Etuele (Nigeria)
2nd place Caleb Mathala (Malawi)
3rd place Kobina Edu Ampah Mensah (Ghana)
Senior Category the top positions were:
1st place Widad Mohammed (Sudan)
2nd place Joseph Turibamwe (Uganda)
3rd place Opeoluwa Ebibechuchwu Bukola (Nigeria)
The statement additionally disclosed that the African Quiz competition was won by a mixed Team named after Table Mountain.
It continued that after the event, the participants were all taken to the iconic Lake Malawi for an enjoyable visit.
At the end of the competition it was announced that the 6th African Spelling Bee in 2023, will be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
It must be noted that the African Spelling Bee was founded in 2016 by 10 Spelling Bee organisations from Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Nigeria, Malawi, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe and they had the very first African Spelling Bee in the same year in Johannesburg, South Africa, bringing together 27 National Champions from each of the countries to participate.
Also, that the African Spelling Bee was started with a vision of celebrating the African Child, inspiring them to be literate and creating a platform for them to connect and build their confidence.
