Fourways High School learner Chisumino Mombureme is one of five learners selected nationwide to be part of the South African team for debating.
The learners will be representing the country, as well as the South African Schools Debating Board (SASDB) in the World School’s Debating Championship in Mexico in July.
Visibly overwhelmed at the news, Chisumino previously tried out for the SA Juniors team, however, this is the first time she has made a national team for debating.
Chisumino felt the toughest time of her debating tenure in Fourways High was during the trials for the SA team. “You’re up against such good people that it’s very easy to make yourself feel like you’re not supposed to be in that space…After a round I would say ‘you’ve got this’ like I’m here for a reason. I’m doing debating because I love it,” Chisumino said.
She added that debating is a competitive space, and it is important to remain self-motivated and to ‘not take things so seriously to the point it is corrosive to yourself’.
With the challenges, she has learnt a lot from debating. “Not only knowledgeable things that I could use in academics, but I’ve met a lot of people and being able to talk to people to understand the arguments they make. It’s helped both academically and holistically.”
The 15-year-old learner said she hopes to go into law or medicine as a career, and added that since she enjoys debating, there is no real stress or pressure she feels in terms of managing time with her academics. “It doesn’t put as much pressure [on you], but it does give me an added amount that pushes me to grow as a person.”
Sharene Mylchreest, the teacher in charge of debating as well as the debating team coach Eric Kazadi have been with Chisumino since she started her debating journey in Grade 9.
Photo: Khomotso Makgabutlane
Both expressed their pride in how she has grown to become a skilful debater since she started. “She may not be fully aware of it, but there are definitely greater peaks she can still reach with her potential,” Kazadi said.
Mylchreest echoed Kazadi’s comment on Chisumino’s growth and said she ‘took to it like a duck to water. “She arrived in my class in February or March in her Grade 9 year, and at the end of the year, she made the Gauteng team.”
Mylchreest, who has been in charge of debating at Fourways High for the last 12 years, lauded the school’s debating culture. “I am so blessed with the calibre of learners and coaches here at Fourways.”
Chisumino concluded the ultimate goal she has for herself is to live up to her own expectations and make herself happy whenever that comes.
Another debating learner, Ropafadzo Zharere also made Mylchreest proud as she will be a part of the SA A-team in debating to go to Prague later this year.
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