Byline: Nonjabuliso Nhlambo
09 May 2022
Greater Heights Youth Empowerment (GHYE) hosted a Spelling Bee competition for primary schools around Embalenhle on Friday, 06 May 2022.
GHYE is a non-profit organization founded by Mr Thembinkosi Ntombela in 2017.
This was the 3rd annual spelling Bee hosted by the organization.
All primary schools in Embalenhle were invited to be part and only 6 were present on the day.
65 learners participated, with 12 teacher coaches from the schools that attended.
The following schools took part in the competition: Embalenhle Primary School, Buyani Primary School, Shapeve Primary School, Vukuzithathe Primary School, Zamokuhle Primary School, and Lifalethu Primary School.
Mr. Ntombela who is the founder of the organization said the main goal of the event is to groom learners whilst promoting reading and writing.
‘’The spelling bee is the first stage of uplifting the learners more especially getting rid of stage fright and also trying to eliminate the use of social media terms whilst building confidence to the young ones at an early age.
This is preparing them for public speaking and debate competitions as our next category after the spelling Bee,” Ntombela said.
Buyani Primary School scooped first place when Ngozi Zethu came first place in the competition, this is after she was able to spell all words given to her on the first attempt.
‘’I feel happy and excited that I have the knowledge and I was able to spell all the words I was given.
I prepared for three to four weeks for this competition with the help of assistant teachers at school,’’ Zethu said smiling throughout.
Zethu received a spa voucher from Rootz Boutique Spa at Graceland which is one of the sponsors for the event, 2 books to read, a portable battery light in case there is load shedding, and a scrabble game to sharpen her spelling ability, and a trophy medal.
Abiter Monyemorathoe from Shapeve Primary School got the second position after a long tie with khulasande Sefali from Embalenhle Primary School who then came in the third position.
The duo went on rounds after rounds of the spelling bee competition both competing for the second position.
Monyemorathoe finally won. All three winners bagged prizes together with their coaches.
The event was graced by the presence of Lerato Nogabe, former Miss Mpumalanga Finalist who was the pronouncer of the day, with adjudicators from the Lerato Nogabe foundation.
Emba squad also entertained the learners during refreshing breaks.
The event was sponsored by Rootz Boutique and Spa, Pulane Optometrist, Massive Recordings, and Sasol.
