The Department of Basic Education in partnership with the Department of Arts and Culture (DAC), Spell It, UNISA, SABC Education, AVBOB foundation and Monash South Africa will be hosting the 2017 National Spelling Bee Competition finals for Grade 4-6 learners at UNISA in Pretoria on Saturday, 23 September 2017.

Spelling Bee supports the Integrated National Literacy and Numeracy Strategy, a DBE’s response to the need for urgency in addressing the low achievement levels of learners in literacy and numeracy. The initiative aims to develop a culture of reading in the country through the Read to Lead campaign and also improving learner’s performance in languages especially English.

Reading is a foundational skill on which all other learning is built. A child who reads is more likely to improve in language use and spelling as well.

The 2017 Spelling bee competition will be honoured by the Deputy Minister of Basic Education Mr Enver Surty who will deliver a keynote and hand over prizes to the winning school teams. 

Members of the media are invited to attend National Spelling Bee finals as follows:

Date:       Saturday, 23 September 2017

Time:      08:30

Venue:   ZK Mathews Hall (Theo Van Wijk building) UNISA Main Campus, Pretoria

NB: All videographers are urged to be at the venue by 07:00 to set up 

RSVP: Magagane.M@dbe.gov.za

Enquiries:         Elijah Mhlanga                    083 580 8275

                             Troy Martens                       079 899 3070                     

ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF BASIC EDUCATION