Sacred Heart College’s debating team started the year on a high note.
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Grade 12 learner Siyabonga Nxumalo together with English and Business Studies teacher Itumeleng Mohanoe attended the Eurasian Schools Debating Championship in Turkey recently.
Mohanoe was chief adjudicator of the Eurasian Schools Debating Championship.
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He was in charge of overseeing the chief judges’ panel and was also responsible for other factors, such as motion setting and equity issues.
Siyabonga was a deployed speaker for the National Greek Team, a first for Sacred Heart College.
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He was named the 2019 Eurasian Schools Debating Champion.
“I’m humbled. I was not expecting it. When an opportunity presented itself to be part of the Greek team, I grabbed it,” said Siyabonga.
He said winning has boosted his confidence.
“I was not sure if I was good enough to win and when I did I was proud of myself,” said Siyabonga.
The EXPRESS asked Siyabonga what makes a good speaker.
“You must be committed and a good coach and a good team player. Be a good listener because you need to know how you are going to argue your point and be positive and confident,” said Siyabonga.
“Debate is mind challenging. You learn how to state your case without getting emotional or attached to the subject and in the process you learn something,” said Siyabonga.
Debating coach Mohanoe said when he told him about being a deployed speaker he was nervous.
“I knew he would doubt himself, but I also knew he could deliver and winning was the cherry on top,” said Mohanoe.
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