The North West Department of Education proudly congratulates Team South Africa on securing a fourth place at the World Spelling Bee Championship, held in Shanghai, China, from 13 to 20 July 2026.
Among the team’s outstanding performers was the 13-year-old Mbulelo Tolom, a Grade 7 learner from Klerksdorp Primary School in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District. Tolom was the youngest member of the six-member Team South Africa.Individually, Tolom achieved an impressive sixth place in the World Spelling Bee Championship, competing against learners from higher grades and demonstrating exceptional spelling ability, determination and resilience on the international stage.
The MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi, congratulated Team South Africa on securing the fourth place at the World Spelling Bee Championship and commended the team’s outstanding performance on the international stage.”Allow me to congratulate Team South Africa on this exceptional achievement at an international level. Their performance demonstrates the high quality of education provided in our schools and confirms that South African learners can compete with the very best in the world.”I am also exceptionally proud of Mbulelo Tolom for achieving the sixth place overall in the World Spelling Bee Championship. As the youngest member of Team South Africa, Mbulelo competed against learners from higher grades and from some of the best schools across the world. His achievement proves that one’s background does not determine one’s destination, but that hard work, determination and commitment can lead to success.”
Mbulelo has shown that South African learners have the talent and confidence to compete on the global stage. He is an inspiration and a positive role model for many young people in the North West Province and across the country,” added
MEC Motsumi.Team South Africa returned home with a gold medal from the World Spelling Bee Championship after delivering an outstanding performance at the prestigious international competition.
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