Dalweide Learners Shine at WOW Redenaarsfees

Dalweide Primary School is celebrating a proud milestone after three of its learners secured top-10 finishes at the WOW Redenaarsfees in Stellenbosch, highlighted by Grade 7 learner Leaton Davids taking second place in his category.

The competition, held on 8 October 2026 as part of the Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees, marked the school’s debut in the public speaking event, which is supported by the ATKV. The stellar performance underscores both the raw talent of the learners and the impact of dedicated mentorship.

Determination Pays Off

For Leaton, reaching the podium meant pushing through pre-competition jitters and burning the midnight oil to master his speech.

“The day before the competition I was stressed because I didn’t know my speech, but I practiced and practiced until I could speak without the cards,” Leaton recalled.

Despite his nerves on the day, his hard work paid off when the judges announced his second-place finish in the Grade 7 division. Leaton was quick to credit his teacher for guiding him through the pressure.

“My teacher helped me get there,” he said, offering a word of encouragement to his peers: “Just believe in yourself and know that you can do it.”

Leaton shared the spotlight with fellow Dalweide learners Terrance Smith and Michaela Hendarch, who also earned places in the top 10 of their respective categories, capping off a remarkable collective achievement for the school.

Nurturing Young Talent

Behind the learners' success was Mrs T. Smith, Dalweide’s WOW contact teacher and Grade 7 Afrikaans educator. Smith spent extra hours working alongside the learners and their parents after school, sharpening their eye contact, body language, stage presence, and note-handling based on previous judges' feedback.

“Sometimes all these projects can get a bit overwhelming, but then I remember I am doing this for the learners and to give them opportunities to achieve,” Smith said.

WOW representative Henrietta praised Dalweide’s enthusiastic debut in the program, which encourages young minds to explore Afrikaans through reading, writing, public speaking, and the performing arts.

Dalweide Principal Mrs G. Daniels emphasized that this victory reflects the school’s broader ethos.

“I believe every child has a talent. For this reason, I believe in creating opportunities like the Redenaarsfees,” Daniels said.

Beyond public speaking, Dalweide actively participates in various WOW initiatives, including Leserskring, WOW Spel, and Vers en Verf, giving learners diverse platforms to express themselves and build confidence.

For the school community, this milestone is far more than a trophy—it is a celebration of perseverance, mentorship, and what young people can achieve when given the chance to shine.