Online Reporter
Mthabisi Tshuma
Youth Interactive Correspondent
ZIMBABWE is celebrating academic excellence on the continental stage after Shamiso Mutsahuni, a learner from Irene Christian College (ICC) in Harare, won a bronze medal at the just-ended seventh edition of the African Spelling Bee, held in Abuja, Nigeria.
Competing in the senior category, Mutsahuni held her own against elite spellers from across Africa, ultimately placing third overall, a proud feat that put Zimbabwe on the winners’ podium.
The African Spelling Bee brought together sharp minds from seven countries including Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Zambia, Benin, Ivory Coast, Rwanda and Ghana.
Representing Zimbabwe were six outstanding spellers, who include Mutsahuni, Ivainashe Mbanda (Kyle College), Chelsea Chingaira (Kyle College), Lauren Phillips (Uppervale College), Anisha Zvina (Goldridge), and Mufaro Munyaradzi (Celebration International School).
Zimbabwe Spelling Bee founder and director, James Bayanai, praised Mutsahuni’s resilience and excellence.
“Her composure, focus, and vocabulary prowess carried her through several intense rounds. Winning the bronze medal and trophy was not just a personal achievement, but a national milestone,” said Bayanai.
While Nigeria claimed both gold and silver medals in the senior category, Mutsahuni’s impressive finish ensured Zimbabwe’s strong presence in the competition. In the junior category, Kyle College’s Ivainashe Mbanda narrowly missed the podium, finishing fourth in a tightly contested spelling round.
Bayanai said the performance reflects the country’s growing reputation in academic competitions.
“Shamiso’s success is a proud moment not just for her family and school, but for all of Zimbabwe. Her achievement will inspire many young Zimbabweans to explore the power of words and language,” he said.
“Congratulations to the entire team for flying the Zimbabwean flag high. Special recognition goes to Shamiso, your brilliance and determination have made history.”
The Zimbabwe Spelling Bee continues to nurture spelling talent through national competitions, workshops, and international exposure, setting a platform for learners to thrive beyond the classroom.
Last year the competition was postponed due to logistical challenges. The competition caters to two age categories —juniors aged 8 to 12 and seniors aged 13 to 18.
However, quizzes enhance student minds by promoting active recall, which strengthens memory and retention.
They also encourage students to identify areas where they need more study, fostering a deeper understanding of the material.
Additionally, quizzes can improve engagement and allow teachers to gauge student comprehension, enabling them to adapt their teaching accordingly.
Again, quizzes and low-stakes assessments are not just good for providing teachers with information about how much a student knows and what they still need to learn to inform future planning— they can also help students take advantage of the benefits of retrieval practice.
