Randfontein High School (RHS) has throughout 2015 excelled beyond expectations in various debating competitions.
At the National Trail Blazers Academy, three of the debaters won the provincials for public speaking as well as in the sport, recreation, arts and culture division while Ramasela Mashatola, a grade 11 pupil, competing for the Chairman position came second.
At the Road Traffic Management Corporation National Debate, two teams competed and debated on road safety issues. They argued on traffic and road users’ legislation and they presented the problematic issues Randfontein is having with trucks on the R28. The practical component required a model which presented a solution in terms of engineering, education and law enforcement.
They also won the Provincials for the Nkosi Albert Luthuli Oral History competition and Obakeng Seageng, a grade 11 pupil continued to the National finals. His presentation focused on the history of RHS and its transformation with the advent of democracy. He interviewed the past principals and conducted an investigation into the archives of the school in order to prepare a research paper and oral presentation to a panel of historians who were the adjudicators.
At the South African Agency for Science and Technical Advancement (Saasta), they won the provincial competition on the topical issue of Eskom and alternative energy solutions. The team, all Science pupils argued that biotechnology would be a winning solution as South Africa produces sufficient biomass from maize, sorghum and sugar cane. At the National competition they argued the benefits and application of Bloodhound technology and whether South Africa stands to profit from the speed tests on the Hakskeen Pan in the Northern Cape.
Other achievements for the year include:
• The debate team also was provincial finalists of the Conhill Debate Tournament;
• They came second at the Provincial Youth Citizen Action Programme and they were also the South African Police Service (SAPS) debate winners;
• Both the junior and senior debate squads won the Tsogo Sun debates;
• They participated in the Unites National Model Debate where they debated the rights of migrant workers in Argentina;
• From 18 to 22 December, 12 debaters will take part in the Pan African Debate Tournament at the University of Botswana;
• They are also aiming to participate at the World Debates in Prague, Czech Republic.
According to Jason Fischer, spokesperson at the school, debating is serious business at RHS.
It benefits pupils in distinctions in the final matric examinations in terms of their writing, research and academic skills. Most debaters are outstanding top achievers and they also pursue careers where public speaking and argument are key elements.
“The majority of debaters become lawyers, politicians or diplomats and they certainly attain several distinctions in the final matric examinations.”
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