Western Cape learners do well in National Spelling Festival
17 November 2022
Seven Western Cape learners finished in the top 30 at the national finals of the 2022 Sanlam WOW Spelling Festival at Stellenbosch University.
A total of 226 learners from 114 schools across South Africa participated in the national finals. The finalists made it through to a series of heats that were presented across the country during the year.
The WOW National Spelling Festival is now in its ninth year. WOW, an acronym for Words Open Worlds, aims to cultivate a love of reading and words in learners.
Learners tested their spelling abilities in Afrikaans Home Language (Grades 6-10) and English First Additional Language (Grades 5-9). In the isiXhosa Home Language section, 97 learners from 35 schools participated in the Western Cape Provincial finals.
"This year was particularly special and learners, parents and teachers outdid themselves," said Fiona van Kerwel, project manager of WOW. "I am excited about the many organisers who drove to the spelling festivals in their respective provinces, and we believe that 2023 will be bigger, better and even more fun.”
Saartjie Botha, director of the Toyota SU Woordfees and WOW project, agrees: "The standard was excellent this year, especially considering the interruptions due to the pandemic. Learners had to spell more than 60 rounds of words before the winner could be named.”
The following Western Cape learners excelled in their various categories:
Afrikaans Home Language
Jonah Scheepers of Wynland Laerskool finished in first place in Grade 7.
Tyra Africa of Robinvale High School was the first-place winner for Grade 9.
Kelsey Jacobs of George High School finished in first place while Leila Chapman of Wolseley High School was the third-place winner for Grade 10.
English First Additional Language
The Grade 8 winners from the Western Cape were Cohen Green of Cloetesville High School in first place and Jo-Dee Wart of Saxonsea High School in second place.
Wayleetha Keyster, a Grade 9 learner at Cloetesville High School, finished in third place.
Provincial winners per Grade: isiXhosa Home Language
Grade 6
- Skomolo Siwaphiwe Alfred Stamper Primary
- Mbeki Lolwethu Njongo Primary
- Menyana Tebogo Lwazi Primary
Grade 7
- Sisa Yotwana Zwelihle Primary
- Alutha Ntlangane Lwazi Primary
- Lethu Masentile Trevor Manuel Primary
Grade 8
- Nkalweni Buhle Manzomthombo Secondary
- Tyala Lihle Harry Gwala Secondary
- Centani Zukhanye Delft Technical High School
