Absa partnered with Tshimong, a skills development organisation that specialises in speech, presentation and communication training, to host the inaugural Absa Debating Championship.
Absa sponsored the championship and Tshimong co-ordinated the resoundingly successful pilot project.
One focus area of Absa’s Shared Growth Strategy is Education and Skills Development. They are committed to the development of young people and preparing them for the world of work.
One of the ways in which the gap between education and the world of work is being bridged, is through the Readytowork initiative. The programme helps young people to develop the work skills they need to ease the critical transition from the world of education, into the world of work.
Also Read: Jannas’ debating dream – you can help
Debating is one of the crucial vehicles being utilised to equip high-school learners with the prerequisite work skills for employability or self-employability.
Ten Gauteng West high schools participated in the inaugural tournament. The Championships ran over two gruelling days in April. The tournament was preceded by Readytowork and Debating Workshops.
The final was a titanic battle between tournament favourites, Randfontein High School, and the underdogs, Hoërskool Jan de Klerk (who had lost to Randfontein High in the preliminary rounds). Jan de Klerk emerged victorious and were crowned champions.
The champions won a trophy, a R5 000 cash prize, plus a paid internship at Absa. Certificates were presented to the winners, runners-up, the Top 10 speakers, and other participants.
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