Language is a very important part of everyday life. It impacts the daily lives of members of any race, creed, and region of the world. Language helps express our feelings, desires, and queries to the world around us.
Sanlam in collaboration with the University of Namibia hosted the third tertiary level spelling bee known as the Sanlam Unam Spelling Bee this past weekend. This initiative was initiated with the aim of providing a platform for students to practise and expand their English language vocabulary and usage by exposing them to “difficult” words through this type of competitions.
This year 44 students from the University of Namibia (UNAM) and the International University of Management (IUM) participated in the competition. It was a tough battle for the title of “2019 Sanlam Unam Spelling Bee champion” but after multiple rounds and a knock out stage, Martha Mungolo from the Unam emerged as the overall winner.
Mungolo walks away with a cash prize of five thousand, a Floating trophy, an English Dictionary, participation medal and a stationery pack.
Speaking at the opening of the event Sanlam Marketing and Communications Manager, Hilaria Graig, said, while English was not the first language for most Namibians, it is the official language in the country. Graig stressed that students thus need to be exposed to English and use the language properly especially when it comes to academic writing.
The spelling Bee Graig, says thus serves as an excellent platform for students to learn new words and develop their vocabulary. Graig added that she was pleased with the turnout from the students which indicates that the Spelling Bee competition is a worthwhile and much sought after initiative by the students.
Unam Language Centre Director Jill Izaks said, “The establishment of the Sanlam Unam Spelling Bee in 2017 by the Language Centre, was primarily to raise awareness of the importance of the word itself”. Izaks added that “Students incorrect spelling and use of vocabulary in academic writing has become a great concern.
Research also shows that students have inadequate receptive and productive vocabulary knowledge to cope with the academic demands of tertiary education”. The spelling is therefore an excellent platform to raise awareness of the importance of vocabulary knowledge she added.
The Winner of the 2019 Sanlam Unam Spelling Bee:
1st Place: Linea Kapofi – N$ 5000-00
2nd Place: Rossy Tjiriange -N$ 2500-00
3rd Place: Helena ILovu – N$ 1500-00
The 2019 Sanlam Unam Spelling Bee competition was fully funded by Sanlam to the value of 60 thousand. All participants walked away with a participation medal and an Oxford English dictionary.