Twelve Year Old Tebatso Nts’oane Earns Place On Team Lesotho For Regional Spelling Bee

Twelve-year-old Tebatso Nts’oane, a Grade 6 pupil at Qacha’s Nek United Primary School, has earned a place on Team Lesotho after an impressive performance at the 2026 National Spelling Bee Competition Finals. Nts’oane finished third in the national competition held in Maseru earlier this month, securing her opportunity to represent Lesotho at a regional Spelling Bee competition in Limpopo, South Africa, on September 24, 2026. Her achievement marks an important milestone for the young learner and highlights the potential of pupils from Qacha’s Nek. She will join other young spellers from Lesotho as they take part in the regional competition. Her success has also brought pride to her school, family and the wider district.

Nts’oane qualified for the national competition after taking part in the district-level Spelling Bee, where Qacha’s Nek United Primary School competed against St Joseph’s and Makhalong Primary Schools. Pupils from different grades took part in the district competition, with Nts’oane among seven learners who emerged as winners and progressed to represent the district in Maseru. While the other representatives from the district did not make it through the national stage, Nts’oane continued to perform strongly against pupils from across Lesotho. Her third-place finish earned her a certificate, medal and trophy. More importantly, it secured her place among the learners who will represent the country at the upcoming regional event.

Her teacher, ’Masekhotla Sekhotla, said Nts’oane’s determination and confidence have played an important role in her progress. The young learner first started participating in Spelling Bee competitions when she was in Grade 4, giving her several years of experience in a competitive environment. That experience appears to have helped her become more comfortable with the pressure associated with spelling competitions. Sekhotla said fear affected the performance of some other learners, while Nts’oane continued to build confidence through repeated participation. Her willingness to return to the competition each year has helped her develop the confidence needed to compete at national level.

The school has welcomed Nts’oane’s achievement while also recognising the financial challenges associated with taking part in competitions outside the country. After she qualified to travel to Limpopo, the school became concerned about how the trip would be funded. The school then appealed for assistance because it wanted the learner to continue with an opportunity that could contribute to her development. Support from good Samaritans helped the school raise the money needed for Nts’oane’s trip. The assistance has allowed the young speller to continue her journey and prepare for an important opportunity to represent Lesotho.

For Qacha’s Nek United Primary School, the Spelling Bee programme represents more than simply winning competitions. Sekhotla explained that the main purpose of the programme is to help children improve their spelling and develop the ability to write words correctly. The school is also using the competition to encourage learners to improve their English speaking and writing skills. This year marks the third time that the school has participated in the Spelling Bee competitions. Nts’oane’s national achievement has given the school further encouragement as it works towards developing stronger language skills among its pupils.

The teacher also highlighted the importance of parental involvement in helping pupils benefit from programmes such as the Spelling Bee. According to Sekhotla, preparation for the competitions requires commitment from both learners and their families. She said the school sometimes identifies pupils with strong potential but faces challenges when parents believe their children are struggling to cope with the demands of participation. Greater cooperation between schools, parents and guardians could give more pupils an opportunity to develop their abilities. The school hopes that Nts’oane’s achievement will encourage families to support learners who show an interest and ability in academic activities.

Nts’oane’s mother, ’Mateboho Nts’oane, expressed her excitement about her daughter’s achievement and described her as a hardworking learner who takes a strong interest in schoolwork. She said her daughter sometimes completes her schoolwork while watching television, which initially made her question how much attention she was giving to her studies. However, she has come to recognise that Nts’oane remains committed to her schoolwork and enjoys learning. Her mother also said Spelling Bee is not the only school activity in which she participates. Nts’oane has developed an interest in her education more broadly and continues to take part in different activities at school.

Her family has also tried to provide her with resources that can support independent learning. Nts’oane received a phone after asking for one so she could conduct research and receive school-related work directly. Her mother believes access to the device contributed to her daughter’s progress, while stressing that its use is monitored. The support reflects the role families can play in helping children access information and educational resources outside the classroom. For a learner preparing for a national and regional spelling competition, the ability to research words and practise independently can provide additional opportunities to strengthen her skills.

The achievement has also received recognition from the Ministry of Education and Training. Acting District Education Manager Mapepe Rakotje praised Nts’oane’s performance and described it as a sign of the effort being made in the district despite resource challenges. He noted that English is predominantly spoken at school in the district, making her performance at the national competition particularly notable. Rakotje said Nts’oane competed strongly and managed to finish among the top three nationally against pupils from different backgrounds, including learners who speak English as their first language. Her result has therefore drawn attention to the academic potential that exists among learners in the district.

Rakotje also urged schools to participate in activities organised by the ministry, warning that a lack of participation can prevent pupils from accessing opportunities that could help them discover and develop their abilities. Competitions such as the Spelling Bee can expose learners to new experiences while giving them opportunities to measure their skills against pupils from other schools and districts. For some children, such opportunities can reveal talents that may not become visible through ordinary classroom activities. Increased participation could also help schools identify pupils who require additional encouragement or support. Nts’oane’s progress from the district competition to the national stage demonstrates what can happen when a learner receives an opportunity to participate.

The 2026 National Spelling Bee Competition Finals were held by the Spelling Bee Association of Lesotho in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Training from September 2 to September 5, 2026. Nts’oane’s third-place finish has now placed her among the young Lesotho spellers preparing for the regional competition in Limpopo on September 24. Her journey from competing at district level to earning a position on the national team has been supported by her determination, family involvement, teachers and community assistance. The experience also demonstrates the value of giving young learners opportunities to develop academic skills outside the traditional classroom setting. As she prepares to compete in Limpopo, Nts’oane will carry the hopes of her school, district and country while gaining valuable experience that can support her continued educational development.