Durban - Alfred Duma Local Municipality executive committee (exco) member Abbas Warassaly has urged pupils from Ladysmith and surrounding areas to use every available opportunity to hone their communications skills as it will open doors to a brighter future for them.
He was speaking at the annual Spelling BEE event held at the Ladysmith Civic Hall on Wednesday, which was hailed as a success by the local municipality.
The competition featured 48 spellers coming from 36 schools within the municipal jurisdiction, and was also attended by school principals and councillors including social and community services portfolio chairperson and exco member Thobani Dlamini.
Warassaly, who delivered the keynote address on behalf of mayor Zama Sibisi, expressed the municipality’s joy at celebrating the International Literacy Day through hosting the spelling BEE competition.
“Education is very important, it helps one hone their communication skills by learning to read, write and more vitally listen. Education develops critical thinking. In this regard, the spelling bee mega challenge helps these learners to improve cognitive skills by breaking down huge words – where you think, read, remember, learn, reason and pay attention, the exco member stressed.
He encouraged pupils to put more effort in their school work and to make use of the libraries.
The participants received certificates and medals while the top participant won a bicycle, school backpacks stationery vouchers varying from R500 to R1 000 and medals.
Ntwenhle Khulu from Dumangobuhle Primary School was the overall winner, followed by Amahle Mathe of Mkhulunyelwa Primary School and Diyan Ramsunder from Egertown Primary School in third position. The Top 3 schools also won trophies and the office printers each.