A team of South African learners has just taken top honours at the African Spelling Bee!
Johannesburg, South Africa (11 April 2026) – South African kids are doing incredible things again… and this one deserves a very proud South Africa “c-h-e-e-r”. Our national spelling team has just been named the best in Africa, and the story behind it is even better.
That’s correct! Team South Africa has officially been crowned overall champions at the African Spelling Bee finals, which took place in Harare, Zimbabwe, between the 18th and 21st of March 2026.
A few weeks after the win, the trophy was formally handed over to Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube at a Department of Basic Education event in Pretoria, where the celebration centred on something deeper than competition results.
“A reading nation is a winning nation,” she said, placing the spotlight exactly where it belongs… on literacy, learning and the long-term impact of both.
But this wasn’t your typical spelling bee. The African Spelling Bee has been designed to reflect the continent it represents, which means learners are tested on words drawn from both English and African languages. It’s not about memorising lists. It’s about understanding language, culture and context… and being able to think on your feet when it matters most. Spellers faced intense elimination rounds and high-pressure speed challenges, including spelling up to 20 words in a single minute. The words themselves told a story too… from griot to Moshoeshoe to Ouidah, each one rooted in history and meaning, each one demanding more than just good spelling.
Preparation for this kind of competition looks very different. One participant shared that there was no fixed word list, only research, curiosity and a commitment to understanding where words come from. Or, in simpler terms: “the main thing is effort”.
And that effort showed. Team South Africa, made up of six learners from across the country, rose to the top in a competition that brought together some of the best young spellers on the continent. While reports differ on exact participation numbers, the standard was high and the margin tight… making the win even more impressive. There were also standout individual moments, including a second-place finish in the Junior Division for one of our learners, adding another layer of pride to the overall result.
But the real magic sits in the stories behind the spelling.
Learners like Rhyle Adams, who shared a perspective, “A single word can… inspire [or] comfort.”
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The journey to that stage in Harare started long before the finals. It began in classrooms, moved through school competitions, then district, provincial and national rounds… each step building confidence, sharpening skills and opening doors. Now, that journey has led to a continental title… with an even bigger opportunity waiting ahead as the team prepares for an international championship in Shanghai later this year.
For now though, this is a moment to celebrate. We are champions!
Congrats to all the young South Africans who show up and back themselves. Congrats to the teachers who invest their time and energy. And congrats to families who encourage all our kids.
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