Pretoria
| Contact Person | Amanda Swanepoel |
| saceepta@gmail.com |
SACEE PRETORIA BRANCH
Reflecting on 2025, it is with pride, dedication and innovation that we have rebuilt the Pretoria Branch and will continue to strive for learner participation and quality events that will promote their English language skills. We concluded a very succesful Spelling Bee Competiton as well as the Creative Writing Challange in 2025.
What to expect in 2026: We are excited to announce that entries for our OPEN MIC Poetry Competition have already been received and we look forward to a high standard of poetry from our FET learners. All relevent information pertaining to the competition is in the document below, together with entry forms and membership forms. Entries close on 20 February 2026, with the gala evening being held on 6 March 2026. This event will showcase the TOP 10 learners in their respective categories, i.e. Grade 10, 11 & 12, competing for the Golden Mic and prizes galore.
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Entries now open: For details on how to enter download here |
During the latter part of 2026 we will be hosting Spelling Bee again, the details of which will be made available closer to the time.
Our Creative Writing Challange will also feature in 2026 and we look forward to receiving quality penmanship.
If you or your school are not yet on our mailing list or wish to find out more information, please send an email through to saceepta@gmail.com.
Amanda Swanepoel (Chairlady Pretoria Branch – 2025/2026)
If you would like to assist with our initiatives, participate in projects, or get involved in any way, please download the membership form.
2025 Spelling Bee
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Pretoria branch initiated and hosted a Spelling Bee competition in August this year. Since the event was ‘a first’ it was decided to keep it small, to maximise the success of the event so that we may hold a bigger competition next year. Approximately 48 primary schools in and around Pretoria were contacted, as the competition catered specifically for Grade 6 & 7 learners. New memberships were signed and of the 13 schools that replied, approximately 106 entries were received. |
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English HL and English FAL were adjudicated separately with independent Pronouncers and Adjudicators for each category. The spelling lists for each category also differed, being age- and level appropriate for each category. From left to right: Ms Kubheka (Pronouncer). Hope Ngobeni (Scorer), Mrs Heymans (Adjudicator) |
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The event was extremely well supported by the parents, so much so that we had to carry in more chairs to fill the hall. The parents were arguably much more competitive than the contestants, which is one thing myself and the MC had to keep an eye on to avoid potentially tricky situations. To defuse the tension (on occasion) we had fun give-away prizes intermittently, which immediately restored the equilibrium in the room.
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English HL winners (1st, 2nd and 3rd) with their prizes |
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Some of the English FAL winners with their prizes |
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At the close of the event, all the contestants were given an opportunity to sign/hand print/scribble something on the Registration banner, giving the event a personal touch and personalizing it for the contestants as well. |
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The event was a tremendous success ad also received national coverage on the Good Morning! show on DSTV Channel 147: (8 October 2025) |
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🎤 Get Ready to Speak Up, Stand Out, and Shine! 🌟 |
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For 2026 we will be opening the competition to all the high schools in the Pretoria area (Grade 10 & 11). Our sponsors have pledged their commitment once again, with a few additional sponsors on board and our guest for the evening will be Ms Keamogetse Moganedi from PanSALB. It promises to be a memorable event. The Good Morning! Show have also promised us a segment in the new year to promote the event and are very keen to learn more about the event.
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We will again host Spelling Bee as well during the second half of 2026, but extend it to high school students as well. Our plan to improve on this year’s event, is to have two adjoining halls for each category (already discussed with the hosting school). It streamlines the logistics and limits the noise levels. We certainly ended 2025 on a high note and hope to achieve even more school and learner involvement in 2026, enriching lives through learning! |
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The Pretoria Branch of the South African Council for English Education (SACEE) is proud to present the 2025 Creative Writing Competition — an exciting and prestigious event open to all SACEE-registered schools in the Pretoria area.We warmly invite your school to take part in this celebration of imagination, expression, and literary talent.
✨ Top-achieving entries in each category will be recognised and celebrated!
We would greatly appreciate your support in encouraging as many learners as possible to enter. This is a wonderful opportunity for young writers to showcase their creativity and be acknowledged for their efforts.
📅 Entries for the competitions is now closed. Results to follow shortly.