So you know how to spell, eh? Enter the national Bee
South Africa’s brightest young spellers are gearing up for the ultimate test of their linguistic abilities as the 2025 National Spelling Bee Finals approaches on 11 December at the prestigious Sun City Resort in North West Province.
This highly anticipated event brings together the nation’s top junior and senior spellers who have triumphed through local competitions, district eliminations and provincial championships to earn their place among South Africa’s elite word warriors.
A celebration of linguistic diversity
What makes this competition truly special is its celebration of South Africa’s rich linguistic heritage. The finals will test participants across all 12 official languages, including South African Sign Language (SASL), making it a truly inclusive national event that reflects the country’s diversity.
Roger Dickinson, CEO of the South African Spelling Bee, emphasised the competition’s broader significance: “Every word a child learns strengthens the standing of the nation. Confident readers uplift families, schools and communities, making literacy a cornerstone of opportunity and empowerment.”
Returning champions and fresh faces
Many participants are familiar faces, seasoned competitors, “Word Warriors” who have previously graced the national stage before. Among notable returnees from 2024 are Kesia Mooka from Gauteng, Ryhle Adams and Ifoema Osondo from the Western Cape, Karabo Matsapola from Gauteng, and Sophia Pillay and Ashton Singh from KwaZulu-Natal.
“Many of the spellers are returning ‘Word Warriors’ who may have missed making the national team by the skin of their teeth in previous years, but with practice a focus on pronunciation patterns and mastering the roots of words from multiple languages, these young minds return to try their luck again.
More than just competition
The National Spelling Bee represents a joint initiative between A Better Africa Foundation, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and partner organisations including the National Education Collaboration Trust (NECT) and Nal’ibali.
The competition extends beyond English proficiency, incorporating written competitions in Italian and Shona, further emphasising the event’s commitment to linguistic awareness and diversity.
National honours and continental dreams
The stakes are high as winners will not only receive national colours for literacy, but will also earn the privilege of representing South Africa at the continental African Spelling Bee Finals in Zimbabwe in March 2026.
The top three participants in each category will compete for ultimate honours, with the journey representing months of dedicated preparation supported by families, teachers and schools across the country.
Building a literate nation
“This year we are extending the focus on multilingual literacy,” said Mr Dickinson, “with the written competition for words in Italian and Shona as a means of expanding linguistic awareness, celebrating language diversity and contributing to social cohesion in the country.”
The event addresses South Africa’s national priority of improving literacy rates while creating a platform where young people from diverse linguistic, economic and geographic backgrounds can showcase their academic excellence.
As these young champions prepare for their moment in the spotlight at Sun City, they carry with them not just their individual dreams, but the hopes of a nation committed to nurturing literacy and celebrating the power of words to transform lives and communities.
The 2025 National Spelling Bee Finals promises to be more than a competition; it’s a celebration of youth empowerment, linguistic diversity and the enduring belief that every word learnt is a step toward a brighter future for South Africa.
The National Spelling Bee Finals will take place on 11 December 2025 at Sun City Resort, North West province.
