Family proud of daughter

And the Grade Five learner, from Curro Helderwyk Independent Primary School, is still in disbelief at her achievement in the competition.

According to her mother, Dudu Pitsi, they started inquiring about the contest last year.

“During the June holidays we found someone in charge of the project, but because Owami’s school had not entered, we entered her independently.

“It was scary, as she was the youngest speller at the cluster level, but she did well and proceeded to the Far East Primary Schools round where she came in the top six.

“The six moved on to the district level where she took first place and we were thrilled as people didn’t think she would make it,” says Dudu.

She adds that Owami had 1 242 words to learn from June to now, while other learners had a head start as they received their words in February.

Over the short period she managed to learn them all, with her family as coaches, helping her to prepare.

“We are very proud of her, even though she doesn’t seem to see what the fuss is all about,” says Dudu.

Owami says she is happy to have done so well in the competition.

“I had to learn how to pronounce all the words and had to study them the same way I would study for an exam.

“During all the stages it has been nerve-wracking as I felt scared and shy and the one thing that kept coming to my mind was what if I got these words wrong.

“It was even worse during the district level as there were two elimination rounds but I am glad I managed to make it,” she says.

Owami will soon be going to the provincials, which she says she is ready for.

“Thank you to my parents Dudu and Benny Malapane and to my uncle Sifiso Mncube who helped me get this far,” she says.