Malawi missed out on trophies once again over the weekend when its six spellers failed to stand out at this year’s African Spelling Bee competition in Kampala, Uganda.
The development comes barely a year after the country also failed to claim trophies on home soil as hosts.
Malawi National Spelling Bee Chief Executive Officer Lewis Mbaula said yesterday that the six spellers put up great performances but were unsuccessful.
“We had a speed round for both junior and senior categories for them to get a team or country that could spell words as a team. Malawi came fourth. We had 48 children from 11 countries,” Mbaula said.
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He further said that they had three knockout rounds for the junior category where South Africa and Uganda emerged co-champions, with Zimbabwe coming third.
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“Malawi was booted out in the last round before the final speed round to determine the champions,” Mbaula said.
He said it was the same case in the senior category for Malawi where Nigeria came first followed by Ethiopia and Zimbabwe on second and third position, respectively.
The six spellers that travelled to Kampala to represent Malawi, and returned home yesterday, are Andile Kamuyambeni from Sparrows Christian Academy in Lilongwe, Emmanuel Mzinie from Gowo Primary School in Lilongwe Rural, Goodall Gondwe from Ndembwera Primary School in Karonga, Lusekelo Munyenyembe from St Peter’s Catholic Secondary School in Mzuzu, Michelle Makwelero from Kamuzu Academy in Kasungu and Tadala Chete from Eagles Nest Academy in Lilongwe.
The African Spelling Bee, which was initially expected to take place in Ethiopia but was moved to Kampala at the 11th hour due to challenges beyond the organiser’s control, will take place in Nigeria next year.
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“There is progress for sure and, with more participation, we will gain the much needed experience and claim the trophies,” Mbaula, who has been re-elected African Spelling Bee Chairperson for the next two years, said.
He then hailed various players for their support including World Vision Malawi and First Lady Monica Chakwera, who had an audience with the spellers and team before departure.
The African Spelling Bee, just like the Malawi National Spelling Bee, is aimed at promoting reading and writing culture.
