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Trust Khosa
Six Zimbabwean learners who were set to compete in the African Spelling Bee Competition in Abuja, Nigeria, will now have to wait until April 2025 as the contest has been postponed.
Originally scheduled to run from today until December 22, the event aims to promote literary and linguistic diversity among young participants.
The competition caters to two age categories – juniors aged 8 to 12 and seniors aged 13 to 18.
The contest will now take place from April 9 to 13, 2025.
Ivainashe Mbanda, Chelsea Mbanda, and Lorraine Phillips will represent Zimbabwe in the junior category, while Alois Ngwenya, Shamiso Mutsahuni, and Anisha Zvina will compete in the senior category.
In an interview, Zimbabwean coordinator Enny Chomsara confirmed the postponement.
“The competition has been moved to April next year as some countries were not yet ready. Some participants faced visa challenges, while flights were overbooked due to the holiday season,” she explained. “We have communicated with our representatives and their guardians about this development, and they understand that the challenges were beyond our control.”
Chomsara assured the six learners that they will participate in the contest next year.
“Of course, our national champions are disappointed, but in life, everything happens for a reason. The students will still have the opportunity to shine in Nigeria, and the 2024 edition will definitely take place next year. The dates (April 9–13) still stand, and we encourage learners to be patient.”
The competition, a brainchild of US-based lawyer Advocate James Bayanai attracted over 10 000 students nationwide this year.
Advocate Bayanai visited Zimbabwe earlier this month to meet some of the winners and their guardians and is working closely with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, which has endorsed the programme.
Meanwhile, Chomsara and Advocate Bayanai are set to unveil the 2025 programme in February.
Online Reporter