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Trust Khosa

SIX Zimbabwean learners will represent the country at this year’s Africa Spelling Bee Competition in Abuja, Nigeria from December 18 to 22.

A brainchild of US-based lawyer Advocate James Bayanai, the competition, which attracted over 10 000 students countrywide, is meant to promote literacy and linguistic diversity.

The contest caters for participants aged between eight to 12 years in the junior category and 13 to 18 in the senior category.

Ivainashe Mbanda, Chelsea Mbanda and Lorraine Phillips will represent Zimbabwe in the junior category while Alois Ngwenya, Shamiso Mutsahuni and Anisha Zvina are vying for the senior category.

In an interview with The Herald on Saturday, Youth Interaction,  senior national champion Anisha could not hide her elation ahead of the competition.

“I feel very anxious because I do not know what lies ahead but I promise to do my level best,” said the Goldridge College learner from Kwekwe, Midlands.

Anisha said she made it to the national finals through hard work.

“I practiced a lot during the period from the provincial to national level. Now that I will be representing Zimbabwe in Nigeria, I want to make my country and family proud.

“I have been longing for this and I think I have achieved something big at the age of 17. I will simply give it my best at the African Spelling Bee competition.”

Similar sentiments were echoed by the junior champion Ivainashe’s camp.

“We are still preparing for the trip but we are promising our best,” said her brother.

The Kyle College learner, who is in Form One, made it to the national finals through practice and intelligence.

Zimbabwe Spelling Bee Trust director, Advocate Bayanai, who is back in Zimbabwe on vacation, was impressed by the level of competition as the contest continues to churn out some brilliant minds.

“We started this initiative in a bid to promote literacy diversity.  It was not easy to win the hearts of many because of protocol but I am glad that we are finally there.

“The level of competition is quite impressive as more than 10000 learners across Zimbabwe took part in the competition,” he said.

Advocate Bayanai was impressed by the cooperation of school heads across the country who have embraced the programme.

“To be honest, the level of competition is quite impressive considering where we came from.

“Of course, it was not easy to convince some of our partners but we managed to make the grade through our resilience.

“We are running the programme every Wednesday on ZTV and this has helped us to win the faith of many people who are following us religiously.”

Advocate Bayanai promised to go out of his way to promote literacy diversity considering his humble background.

“I am one of the people who learnt in the rural areas where life was never rosy for some of us.

“My heart bleeds whenever I recall my past but as an influencer, my wish is to change many lives.

“Through our Zimbabwe Spelling Bee Competition, we make sure that students from elite and remote schools exchange notes under one roof,” he said.