African Spelling Bee

The African Spelling Bee is an academic spelling competition and consortium held annually across the African continent. Modeled after traditional spelling bees, this event serves as a platform for students to demonstrate their mastery of language and spelling skills. Organized at both national and continental levels, the competition begins with preliminary rounds in participating countries, culminating in a grand finale where finalists from various nations compete for the championship title. The 2023 edition of the contest was held in Kampala, Uganda. The 2024 edition is set to be held in December at Abuja, Nigeria.

Founded with the aim of promoting literacy, linguistic diversity, and cultural exchange among African youth, the African Spelling Bee has emerged as a significant educational initiative. Through rigorous preparation and competitive spirit, participants engage in oral spelling challenges, tackling words of increasing complexity as they progress through the rounds.

The competition was founded in 2016 by Francois Badenhorst and Roger Dickinson with ten other spelling bee organizations across the continent. The very first edition was held in Johannesburg.

History
The contest was founded by Francois Badenhorst and Roger Dickinson with chairperson as Aaron Kirunda and co founder as Abiy Tekle, together with executive committee chairman as Mr. Lewis Mbaula Chisale along with 10 other countries. These nations are Botswana, Kenya, Lesotho, Ethiopia, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Uganda. The number of organizations has grown to 19 with the addition of Gambia, Tanzania, Ghana, Rwanda, Benin, Liberia, Sudan, South Sudan and the DRC. The African Spelling Bee was founded to create a platform for African children to compete and excel in spelling, thereby encouraging literacy and education throughout the continent. The competition has grown significantly since its inception, with more countries participating each year. The 7th edition of the African Spelling Bee is expected to be the largest in the history of the competition as more than 22 countries will present their best spellers on the stage.

Since its inception, the African Spelling Bee has grown in popularity and scale, with more countries joining and greater participation each year. The event continues to inspire and encourage young learners across the continent. The competition not only hones the spelling skills of participants but also emphasizes the importance of education, literacy, and academic excellence. It provides an opportunity for cultural exchange and the celebration of linguistic diversity within Africa. The organizations of the African Spelling Bee reach out to many various schools in their own respective countries. More than 70 spellers from over 11 countries participated in the 6th edition of the contest. Chairman of the African Spelling Bee Executive Committee, Mr. Lewis Mbaula Chisale, concluded the event by pointing out that, “The exposure and the memories that the children from different African countries create will positively change their lives and motivate millions more.”

Notable Events and Achievements
The 6th African Spelling Bee was held in Kampala, Uganda, where Praises Esere Minabowa from Nigeria won the Senior Championship and secured a $10,000 scholarship (...Building Justified Truth), while Ethiopia's David Busha was the first runners - up, in turn placing Ethiopia on the podium for the first time. (Capital Newspaper) and Tashinga Chereni from Zimbabwe was the second runners - up which was a major feat for the country (The Zimbabwean). This event also marked the debut of South Sudan, whose participants gained valuable experience and laid the groundwork for future success (Africa Press).

From the Junior category, Lesedi Seemane (South Africa) tied with Agaba Austin Jordan (Uganda) to become the first co-champions in the history of the ASB. Claudia Jean Madhombiro from Zimbabwe was the first runners up.

Another highlight of the 2023 competition was the participation of Zimbabwe, which celebrated the success of its spellers and emphasized the importance of cultural exchange and education through such events (Sunday News).

The African Spelling Bee also holds significance in South Africa, where it serves as a platform to showcase the linguistic talents of young spellers. The 2023 finals held at Sun City were a testament to the intense competition and the extraordinary talent of participants from across the country (A Better Africa).

Eligibility and Participants
Participants in the African Spelling Bee are typically winners or top spellers from national spelling bees held in various African countries. Each participating country organizes its own national spelling bee to select its representatives. The competition generally targets school-aged children, though specific age ranges can vary by country and competition rules.

Competition Format
The competition begins with preliminary rounds where participants are given words to spell. These rounds serve to narrow down the number of contestants. Successful spellers from the preliminary rounds advance to the semifinals and then to the final round. The format includes oral spelling of increasingly difficult words. Since spelling bees are typically elimination-style competitions, a speller is out of the competition after misspelling a word.

Organizations and Partners
The African Spelling Bee is organized by a coalition of spelling bee organizations from various African countries. Key partners may include educational institutions, government bodies, and corporate sponsors. Notable member organizations include the Nigeria Spelling Bee, South African National Spelling Bee, and Ethiopian Spelling Bee, among others.

Junior and Senior Categories
The competition is divided into junior and senior categories, with participants competing in various rounds to spell increasingly difficult words. The junior category is typically for younger participants, often ranging from ages 9 to 13. The exact age range can vary depending on the specific rules of the national spelling bees that feed into the African Spelling Bee. The words in the junior category are generally less difficult than those in the senior category, tailored to the age and grade level of the participants. Participants of the junior category are usually in primary or lower secondary school. The senior category is for older participants, typically ranging from ages 14 to 18. As with the junior category, the exact age range can also vary. Words in the senior category are more challenging, reflecting the higher skill level and greater vocabulary expected of older participants. Participants are generally in higher secondary school.

Cultural Impact
The African Spelling Bee significantly promotes literacy and education by encouraging students to enhance their spelling, vocabulary, and overall language skills. The competition fosters unity and collaboration among participants from various African countries, promoting mutual understanding and respect. It also celebrates African languages and cultures, reinforcing the importance of linguistic diversity and cultural heritage. By inspiring participants to become future leaders who value education and excellence, the African Spelling Bee contributes to a more educated and culturally aware generation of young Africans. It has raised the standards of academic excellence by motivating students to strive for higher achievement. The rigorous preparation required for the competition often leads to better performance in school. Participating in the African Spelling Bee helps build confidence and self-esteem among students. The experience of competing on a large stage and representing their country empowers them to take on future challenges. Many participants take on leadership roles in their schools and communities, inspired by their experience in the spelling bee. They often mentor younger students and promote educational initiatives. Participants gain recognition in their communities, serving as role models for their peers. This positive recognition encourages other students to engage in academic pursuits.