Learners in Alexandra gathered at the Alexandra Museum to compete against their peers in a fierce Spelling Bee competition, a lively literacy initiative designed to improve vocabulary, reading habits, and public speaking skills among children in the township.

Read more: Run Alex’s Spelling Bee Competition ignites learning in the township

The event, hosted by Read Alex, a wing of the grassroots organisation Run Alex, brought together learners from multiple schools to compete, learn, and grow.

According to Anelisa Mzimazi, Run Alex development secretary general, the Spelling Bee is part of a broader effort to tackle literacy challenges in Alexandra. “We identified a problem with literacy; our kids struggle to read properly, and that affects how they express themselves later in life,” she said.

“So we created Read Alex to introduce them to reading and vocabulary early, especially bombastic words they wouldn’t normally use.”

Also read: Spelling Bee competition aims to train youngsters how to read and write

Mzimazi said the programme was born out of the reality that some children in Alexandra lived in homes that were not spacious enough for them to read comfortably. To address this, Read Alex hosts weekend reading sessions at Kwabhekilanga Secondary School, where children gather for a compulsory hour of reading every Saturday and Sunday. “We just get them reading and facilitate the process.”

The Spelling Bee, now in its second year, has grown significantly. Last year, it featured grade 4 and 6 learners from various schools in Alexandra. This year, it expanded to include grades 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. The first round took place on August 23, with the next scheduled for August 30.
Mzimazi said the impact of the programme was already visible. “Since we started at Kwabhekilanga, the children have improved in confidence and vocabulary. They can now articulate themselves better and even write creatively. They stand in front of a crowd and spell out loud. This was something we didn’t see when we started the programme.”

The Read Alex initiative continues to grow, offering Alexandra’s young learners not just a chance to compete but a chance to thrive. As Thintsila shared, the impact on their confidence is noticeable. “Now, they can stand in front of a crowd and spell out loud. This was something we did not get when we started the programme.”

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