JUBA – South Sudan marked a historic moment in its educational landscape by participating in the African Spelling Bee for the first time.
Held in Kampala, Uganda, from December 6th to 10th, 2023, the competition witnessed eleven countries vying for the coveted title, including Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, and South Sudan.
While the South Sudanese team did not claim any awards, their debut proved crucial in gaining valuable experience and insights that will shape their future participation.
As newcomers, they observed and learned from seasoned competitors, laying the groundwork for potential success at the next edition scheduled for Nigeria.
The South Sudanese delegation, a collaboration between the Excellence Foundation for South Sudan and Juba Primary Schools Mini Competition winners, comprised adult representatives Daniel Oleke Opio and Gabriel Majok Ajang-Amal, along with three youthful spellers: Habiba Mui Jacob, Deng Majak, and Akoy Lual Dual.
Ranging from 12 to 16 years old, these young minds showcased their dedication and spelling prowess on the international stage.
Emmanuel Bida, Project Lead of the South Sudan National Spelling Bee, expressed his pride in the team’s performance, highlighting the immense learning opportunities and joy they experienced throughout the event.
“The team did its best and I’m impressed by Spelling prowess they showcased at a continental stage including learning from other African children how things are done in their home countries,” Bida, also a news factchecker, told Sudans Post today in Juba.
“It was tight, but they managed to walk away with some gold medals and certificates of participation,” he added.
Habiba Mui, 14, echoing this sentiment, expressed her immense pride in representing South Sudan at such a prestigious gathering.
“I am full of joy and had unforgettable pleasant experiences during my participation at the African Spelling Bee 2023 in the name of my country, South Sudan,” she said.
“I want to thank the organizing team for the opportunity they gave to us as children to participate in this event, and I want to appreciate the support from the teachers and to teacher Daniel who travelled with us,” she added.
However, the competition also presented challenges. The spellers faced initial nervousness performing before a new international audience.
Additionally, pronunciation differences and variations in spelling masters’ accents posed hurdles due to varying linguistic backgrounds.
Despite these challenges, the participation yielded several key takeaways. It emphasized the importance of engaging in international academic competitions for enriching learning experiences and broadening horizons.
The event also underscored the need to nurture a vibrant spelling culture within South Sudanese schools, raising awareness and fostering a love for language.
Looking ahead, the South Sudan National Spelling Bee aims to solidify its presence at the African Spelling Bee and expand its reach beyond Juba.
Deng Majak, one of the young spellers, described his experience as intense yet enlightening, recognizing the power of reading and book knowledge as crucial tools for success and future opportunities.
The African Spelling Bee is a continent-wide competition that gathers young participants from various African countries to showcase their spelling skills.
Similar to spelling bees in other parts of the world, this event tests contestants’ abilities to spell words accurately and competes to win by correctly spelling the most words.
It’s an educational platform aimed at promoting literacy, language skills, and friendly competition among students across Africa. - Sudans Post
