Johannesburg – South Africa’s brightest young spellers will depart on 14 July 2026 to represent the nation at the inaugural Spelling Bee World Cup. It will be hosted in Shanghai, China, from 14–19 July 2026.
The South African team also unites an exceptional and diverse group of learners from across the country. Each learner earns their place through months of competition, determination, and academic excellence. More than simply spelling words, these young ambassadors will showcase the talent, resilience, and potential of South Africa’s youth on the global stage.
Outstanding year for South African spelling
This milestone furthermore follows an outstanding year for South African spelling. Team South Africa was crowned African Spelling Bee Champion at the continental championships in Harare, Zimbabwe, in March 2026. Building on that success, the team indeed now sets its sights on competing against the world’s best young spellers.
“The Spelling Bee is about far more than memorising words,” said Roger Dickinson, CEO of A Better Africa Foundation and co‑founder of the African Spelling Bee. “It develops confidence, reading ability, critical thinking, public speaking and a love of language. These learners are not only representing South Africa. They are demonstrating the power of education to transform lives.”
The delegation reflects the values underpinning the South African Spelling Bee: excellence, diversity, inclusion, and opportunity. Learners from different provinces, cultures, and backgrounds will stand together under one flag. They are united by a shared commitment to learning and achievement.
Coordinated by A Better Africa Foundation in partnership with the Department of Basic Education, the South African Spelling Bee has grown into one of the country’s leading literacy initiatives. Each year it reaches thousands of schools and learners. They encourage reading, vocabulary development, and academic confidence while identifying and nurturing exceptional young talent.
Global literacy and education initiatives
The team’s participation in Shanghai also highlights the growing role African countries are playing in global literacy and education initiatives. Alongside other African nations, South Africa will proudly demonstrate that the continent continues to produce world‑class young scholars capable of competing internationally.
As Team South Africa embarks on this historic journey, the nation is also encouraged to rally behind these remarkable young ambassadors as they compete for global honours and inspire a new generation of readers and learners. We wish Team South Africa every success as they carry the hopes of the nation to Shanghai.
