19 Aug 2018

A total of 15 students will represent the Jwaneng cluster in the regional Spelling Bee competition penciled for Jwaneng on September 1.

That comes after 74 contestants from Morama, Mogale, Kgosi Mpe, Molongwa and Maiteko junior secondary schools battled it out in a tightly contested cluster competition on August 18.

The vigorous screening process saw Sethunya Kikwe of Morama emerging as the champion of her cluster after fighting several times to break a tie between herself and Kgosi Mpe’s Letso Mothibi. Last year’s cluster champion and 2017 African Spelling Bee finalist Motheo Mmasa of Kgosi Mpe came in third position followed by Talent Mfana of Morama.

The top six positions turned into a township battle as they were only occupied by the two Jwaneng-based schools of Morama and Kgosimpe, with each fielding three contestants.   

As a way of motivation, the top six contestants walked away with individual prizes which comprised cellular phones, tablets and headphones for the top three and tablets for the other three.

The prizes were sponsored by the area Member of Parliament, Mr Shawn Ntlhaile for the second year.

In an interview, the Bee Master Ms Prudence Moepi said the competition had grown from the inaugural one which was held last year.

She said the interest from students has increased hence a bigger number of contestants registered this year.

Ms Moepi also said last year they only had schools from the Jwaneng/Mabutsane constituency, but they have widened the area to reach out to other schools in the whole Jwaneng cluster.

She said the competition has managed to attract even students from rural areas who also had the opportunity to compete with their peers.

She said the participants had prepared well as evidenced by the tight competition and the improved vocabulary they showed.

“This shows just how well they have prepared and have been practicing. That is why we were struggling to find the winner,” she said. ENDS