BLOEMFONTIEN – A group of roughly 400 learners competed in spelling bee and story review competitions held by the Department of Education in the Mangaung District. The events were held at the Fauna Primary School from 1 June to 4 June, with participants from schools within Mangaung.
The Free State Department of Education hosts these competitions to sharpen the minds of learners in literacy and language development.
Patricia Baas, senior education specialist for English (Gr. 4 to Gr. 7), said these yearly competitions provide learners with an opportunity to demonstrate their language proficiency, confidence and critical thinking skills. She said the district-level competitions produced 24 learners who advance to the Mangaung District Round. Baas explained that the spelling bee competition promoted accurate spelling, vocabulary development, pronunciation and grammar skills; while the story review competition strengthened reading comprehension, critical analysis and learners’ ability to engage meaningfully with texts.

“These initiatives form part of the broader district and provincial literacy improvement strategy aimed at ensuring that learners read with understanding and are equipped with the skills necessary for academic success.
“As preparations continue for the 2026 Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (Pirls) cycle, the Department of Education’s Mangaung District remains committed to improving reading outcomes and ensuring that every learner becomes a confident and competent reader,” said Baas.

The Pirls report previously revealed that 81% of South African Gr. 4 learners struggle to read for meaning in any language.
Six learners came out on top at the Mangaung event – three apiece for both competitions. The Story Review winners are, in order of placement: Keith Tenique of the Sentraal Primary School, Botshelo Phaladi of the Relebeletse Primary School; and Abulele Sphambo of the Roseview Primary School.
The spelling bee winners, in order of placement, are: Sabelo Lukhele of the Unity Primary School; and Neo Mofokeng and Makhetha Ikechukwu, both from the Relebeletse Primary School.