Mzansi Spelling Bee ... Ntsako Mkhabela

"Most adults won't step on a stage and spell," says our Sustainability Hero of the Week, Ntsako Mkhabela on the iStart2 Show. "Think about it." 

"iStart2 make children believe in themselves ... 

each word nerd is a kid who says I CAN"
- Ntsako Mkhabela

The Mzansi Spelling Bee is a national English spelling challenge for spellers ages 9-17 or currently doing Grade 4-11 in South Africa.  The Mzansi Spelling Bee uses game, competition, social media new media and live spelling bee events to nurture a love for language and words. 

The Mzansi Spelling Bee is a unique hybrid spelling bee making the best of new media and technology to reach deeper into South Africa while going back to the basic ABCs of language and the spelling bee.  Technological innovation allows the Mzansi Spelling Bee to live in a virtual space that allows thousands of spellers from across South Africa to be part of the community of spellers and word nerds. 

"I teach people how to read and make sure that we have an Africa that grows up literate. Children are waiting to be challenged. If you think kids are not clever it is an act of disrespect. In sports we think they can ... when it comes to the mind we think they can't," says Ntsako.

Lots of fun in the studio with a woman who is passionate about word nerds, donkeys, literacy and making a real difference in our country. To listen to the show, just click play:




Thought of the Day:

For our friend Karen Kotze ...

If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same
-  Rudyard Kipling, written in 1895

Basimanyana ... Ntsako Mkhabela

Basimanyana ... the wisdom of forgiveness...

“Activism is dirty; it needs your hands whether it is a veggie garden, teaching kids how to paint or how to write, activism needs your hands more than your voice,” says Ntsako Mkhabela. "We need to get dirty man. We need to think deeply about realities... look outside the window."

Ntsako is a playwright, director of theatre and founder of the Spelling Bee in South Africa. She feels strongly about sustainability and believes it speaks to our own ability to survive on this earth. "It's not my business to mess with the earth."

We chatted to Ntsako on the iStart2 Show and listened to her favourite song by Vusi Mahlasela. To listen to the interview just click play:



Thought for the Day:

Tune in at 17h30 to the iStart2 Show on Radio Today 1485 AM in Jozi, Nationally on DSTV Audio Channel 869 or worldwide on www.1485.org.za. Show hosted by Pierre du Toit and the beautiful Keitu Gwangwa. The show is broadcast every Monday at 17h30 and repeated on Thursdays at 17h30 (SA Time). 

Please Visit our website: www.istart2.com and join our movement.