Learner Competitions
SPELLING BEE
As part of the Read to Lead Campaign, the DBE hosts the DBE Spelling Bee South Africa (National spelling bee championship) annually. A spelling bee is a game in which the participants compete in spelling words orally. The National spelling bee championship which targets learners in Grade 4 to 6 (the intermediate phase) is aimed at improving learners' performance in languages, especially in English.
A call is hereby made for all schools with the intermediate phase to encourage learners to participate in the 2019 National spelling bee championship.
The procedure for participation in the 2019 Spelling Bee is to fill in the registration form which must be stamped by the school and faxed/sent through to the provincial coordinator of the Spelling Bee.
Parents of learners enrolled for Home Education are advised to request the Principal of the nearest school to support and stamp the form for them.
The Intermediate phase is still the only category for the competition whose winners will proceed to the National championship. Schools are requested to first hold the competition in class before the joint intermediate phase championship.
It is expected that schools will hold circuit/cluster spelling bees before the winners proceed to the district and provincial championship.
Upon receipt of the registration form in which names of the Intermediate phase winners are entered, the provincial coordinator will organise a workshop for schools to explain the rules of the competition as well as conduct elimination rounds up to the provincial level.
The DBE will receive the names of the provincial winners and host a Spelling Competition in Pretoria.
All schools, including Special schools, are invited to enter. Participation in the programme is free.
Northern Cape Province entries should be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Please contact Ms Khumalo on 053 839 6407/6311 or 082 392 6301 for more information
2020 Department of Basic Education Spelling BEE South Africa and Reading Clubs programme
2019 Spelling Bee Registration Form
Spelling Bee 2017 Participating Manual
KGAISANO YA MOPELETO MO MEPHATONG 1-3
Dikololo tsa Setswana di lalediwa go tsenela kgaisano ya mopeleto e e tla ketekwang ka kwedi ya Lwetse. Kgaisano ke bontlhanngwe jwa thotloetso ee bontshang bokgoni jwa barutana jwa barutwana jwa go reetsa le go buisa ka puo ya Setswana. Mopeleto ke nngwe ya diteng tsa thuta-puo mo mephatong 1-3. Batsayakarolo ba tla peleta ka nako e e matshwanedi go ya ka dingwaga le mophato o ba leng mo go ona
WOORDE OPEN WȆRELDE (WOW) SPELLING COMPETITION
As part of the WOORDFEES AND WOW, the University of Stellenbosch hosts the WOW Spelling Competition for Afrikaans Home Language and English First Additional Language annually. A spelling competition is an activity in which the participants compete in spelling words orally. This National championship which targets Afrikaans Home Language learners in Grade 1 to 10 and English First Additional Language learners in Gr. 6 - 9 is aimed at improving learners' performance in languages.
A call is hereby made for all schools to encourage learners to participate in the 2019 National WOW spelling competition. Competition rules and the word lists per language and per grade are available in electronic format and can be downloaded at www.woordfees.co.za.
The procedure for participation in the 2019 Spelling Competition is to fill in the registration form which must be stamped by the school and faxed/sent through to the district coordinator of the Spelling Competition.
Schools are requested to first hold the competition in class before the joint circuit and district competitions in August and provincial competition in September will take place. The national competition takes place at the University of Stellenbosch in October.
Upon receipt of the registration form, the district coordinator will organise a workshop for schools to explain the rules of the competition as well as train teachers as competition officials.
All schools, including Special schools, are invited to enter. Participation in the programme is free.
Northern Cape Province entries should be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Due date: 15 May 2019
Please contact Ms SM KOEN on 053 830 7659 or 076 902 5929 for more information
MOOT COURT
Although South Africa has come a long way since the dawn of democracy; language, ethnicity, religion and socio-economic inequities and divisions are still evident. These divisions emphasise the importance for young people to become knowledgeable of their constitutional rights and values, as well as the principles of the country’s Supreme Law to develop active and disciplined citizenry.
The DBE, in partnership with the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, the Universities of Pretoria, Venda and the Western Cape, the Foundation for Human Rights and the Law Society of South Africa, hosts the National Schools Moot Court Competition on an annual basis. Since its inception in 2011, the National Schools Moot Court Competition has managed to explore various sections of The Bill of Rights such as Rights, Equality, Freedom of expression and Human Dignity and offers a dialogic and experiential platform for the youth to experiment with the actual application of the country’s laws.
More on Moot Court National Competition
WATER AND SANITATION
The Department of Water Affairs (DWA) is implementing an education programme called 2020 Vision for Water Education Programme (2020 VWEP). It is aimed at educating learners about efficient use of water, protection of water sources, health and hygiene for a healthy life, invasive alien species and water safety. It engages learners and educators in various educational projects. Through this programme the young people and their community become ambassadors for the Department. The youth in schools have been identified as the primary target audience because they play a crucial role in changing the mindset of the communities. Hence “Educate a child to educate the Nation”. The South African Youth Water Prize (SAYWP) is one of the projects that will assist us in making sure that we achieve this.
THE SOUTH AFRICAN YOUTH WATER PRIZE (SAYWP)
AQUA ENDURO 2018 REGISTRATION FORM
EDUCATION PROGRAMME 2018 AWARDS
Water and Sanitation Education Initiative
For more information:
Jabu Mongale
Phone: 053 839 6628
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
ASTRO QUIZ COMPETITION
Astro Quiz is an annual competition which is organised by the south African Agency for Science and Technology advancement (SAASTA)) in collaboration with the Northern Cape Department of Education. The competition is aimed at grade 7 learners with themes based on astronomy.
Completed entry forms including a list of participating learners must be forwards to Ms Mosa van Wyk at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
NATURAL SCIENCE OLYMPIAD
The Natural Science Olympiad is an annual competition conducted by the South African Agency for science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA) in partnership with the Department of Education. The Natural Science Olympiad targets Grade 4-9 learners. Preparation for the competition starts at the beginning of the year, when schools register for the competition and learners start preparation for the examinations.
10th National Science Olympiad 2020 for grade 4-9 learners
9th National Science Olympiad 2019 for grade 4-9 learners
9th National Science Olympiad 2019 for grade 4-7 learners application Forms
55th National Science Olympiad 2019 for grade 10 -12 learners
55th National Science Olympiad 2019 for grade 10-12 learner entry forms
SOUTH AFRICAN MATHEMATICS FOUNDATION OLYMPIAD
The South African Mathematics Foundation (SAMF) is a non-profit organisation which aims to advance the Mathematics, development and education of South African learners through quality teaching and learning of Mathematics through public awareness activities. SAMF is involved in learner and teacher development, advocacy and research through a series of projects throughout the ear.
More on South African Mathematics Foundation Olympiad
YOUTH CITIZENTSHIP ACTION PROGRAM (YCAP) COMPETITION
Y-CAP initiative has been endorsed by the Department of Basic Education. The competition helps the youth take action through school-based projects that addresses issue of concern and relevance in their specific environment. These issues range from teenage pregnancy and substance abuse to waste management.
NKOSI ALBERT LUTHULI ORAL HISTORY COMPETITION
This completion forms part of the Departments contribution to the strengthening of the teaching and learning of History in our schools. It is also part of the Department ongoing initiative to encourage all learner to develop an understanding, not only of the broad history of South Africa, but also of the richness of the histories of their local communities.
Application ON NKAL Oral History
EDUPLANT 2017/18 COMPETITON
All South African schools that have been growing permaculture food gardens are invited to enter the competition. 66 schools representing all nine provinces will be invited to attend the finals workshop in October 2018, where final judging will take place.
Schools are requested to complete the entry form and submit to the nearest District office NSNP Unit no later than the 25th May 2018
Build a garden profile with colour pictures of fruit and vegetables that will be sent with the entry form or no later than the 1st June 2018.
We request schools to enter this competition so that we can have sustainable permaculture gardens.
Enquiries: If you encounter challenges in completing the entry contact Mr Khulu Mapatsi at 083 736 3444 or Mr Ernest Molusi at 083 736 3956
District office NSNP Unit
Frances Baard: Ms Nunu Matsio, Mr Dan Fata, Mr Vusi Morape
ZFM: Mr Henry Links
JTG: Mr K J Tlhage
Pixley Ka Seme: Ms Matyobeni
Namaqua: Mr J Windvogel, Ms Aleta Jafta
SADC Secondary Schools Essay Competition
2020 Matrics Antarctica Competition