There were more than 60 Durban University of Technology (DUT) students that had participated in the Spelling Bee Championship which took place on 17 May 2018 at Mansfield Hall, Ritson Campus. This is an inter-residential competition open to all DUT residence students.

This competition has grown significantly since its inception in 2013, where only first year residences were allowed to participate, and it has grown to a point that all DUT residences are allowed to participate. Residences that participated in the competition were Stratford House, City Cabin Lodge, Royal O’flaherty, Davenport, Alpine, Sterling House, Triton, Winterton, Emarald, Walsingham, Berea,Urban View, Campbell, Rosean, Orap, and Steve Biko.

One of the organisers of the competition, Mthokozisi Mnculwane from the DUT HIV/AIDS Centre and a Residence Advisor for Rosean Residence said the competition aims to promote literacy through the grasping of words, aid students in learning concepts, improving comprehension and developing reading skills, as well as enhancing vocabulary and promoting a competitive spirit.

“Spelling Bee Competitions helps to promote literacy by providing students with a positive goal to work towards, and give them a forum to display their vocabulary skills. Likewise, these competitions aid students in learning concepts, improving comprehension and developing study skills. Literacy has never been more important than it is in today’s knowledge economy. Research shows that people with low levels of literacy have a harder time finding employment and earn less money than those with better language skills,” said Mnculwane.

He said the benefits of this competition to students is beyond just language. “Since students are required to spell words while on stage, they also develop self-confidence, communication, public speaking skills, and the ability to thrive under pressure. The lessons learned by participating in a Spelling Bee Competition can therefore last a lifetime, and benefit even those who do not outlast all competitors. Even if a student does not win, it is important to remember that such a competition can result in a range of benefits including heightened confidence to improved vocabulary,” added Mnculwane.

Mnculwane said they are planning to make next years’s Spelling Bee Competition more exciting and attract more students to participate in these kind of Residence Educational programmes. He added that they will also engage internal and external stakeholders to be part of this initiative.
The ultimate winner of the competition, Phakamani Khoza said he was elated by his achievement and thankful to God for giving him the strength to win this challenging competition. “The rules of the competition were very strict, and at some point I was given a word to spell which I have never heard before but through the grace of God I managed to get it right,” he said.

The 2nd Year Food Technology student said he is an avid reader and has always enjoyed reading books, which he believes also assisted him to win this competition. “Winning this competition means a lot to me, and it is a motivation that if I can achieve my smaller goals it will give me strength to conquer my ultimate goals in my academic journey.” added Khoza.

Pictured: The winner of 2018 Residence Spelling Bee Phakamani Khoza from Alpine Residence with his prizes.

Nduduzo Ndlovu