The North West Department of Education proudly congratulates Team South
Africa on securing a fourth place at the World Spelling Bee Championship,
held in Shanghai, China.
Among the team's outstanding performers was the 13-year-old Mbulelo Tolom,
a Grade 7 learner from Klerksdorp Primary School in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda
District. Tolom was the youngest member of the six-member Team South Africa.
Individually, Tolom achieved an impressive sixth place in the World
Spelling Bee Championship, competing against learners from higher grades
and demonstrating exceptional spelling ability, determination and
resilience on the international stage.
The MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi, congratulated Team South Africa on
securing the fourth place at the World Spelling Bee Championship and
commended the team's outstanding performance on the international stage.
"Allow me to congratulate Team South Africa on this exceptional achievement
at an international level. Their performance demonstrates the high quality
of education provided in our schools and confirms that South African
learners can compete with the very best in the world.
"I am also exceptionally proud of Mbulelo Tolom for achieving the sixth
place overall in the World Spelling Bee Championship. As the youngest
member of Team South Africa, Mbulelo competed against learners from higher
grades and from some of the best schools across the world. His achievement
proves that one's background does not determine one's destination, but that
hard work, determination and commitment can lead to success.
"Mbulelo has shown that South African learners have the talent and
confidence to compete on the global stage. He is an inspiration and a
positive role model for many young people in the North West Province and
across the country," added MEC Motsumi.
Team South Africa returned home with a gold medal from the World Spelling
Bee Championship after delivering an outstanding performance at the
prestigious international competition.