Noorderland debater Mosima recieves provincial honours

POLOKWANE – Noorderland High School learner Mosima Matladi recently won the 2023 Community Safety Debate Provincial Competition, hosted by the Department of Transport and Community Safety in partnership with Education.
The competition was held on November 25.

Matladi said that she didn’t realise how much of a big deal the win was, until she witnessed some reaction to it.

She received a hero’s welcome when she arrived back at school the next Monday, and said it felt like a real ‘Siya Kolisi’ moment after winning the Rugby World Cup.

“The welcome that I received from the teachers when I got to school was amazing. It motivated me to do better in all the other activities that I participate in,” she said.

Matladi is a Gr 10 learner and started debating in 2021. She said she was encouraged by her sister because of her talkative personality and that she loves debate because it has taught her humility.

“Debate is very emotional. Once you get inside, it is all about your mental strength and ability to remain calm under pressure. Another lesson is team work. As much as they look for individuality; how good you are as an individual, it is also about team work and how you’re able to work well with your team,” she said.

She shared that she didn’t expect to win as she struggled on the day of the competition. She woke up with a sore throat which she said caused her voice to become raspy.

“I tried to save my voice and I remember at some point I was told that I needed to work on my voice projection,” she said. She powered through and came out victorious.

Noorderland principal, Thabo Ratema expressed how impressed he is at her win and commended her for putting the school on the map.

“She is one of our top performing learners and this is inspiration to her class. She is a clear example that one can excel academically and still do well in cultural activities. We are really blessed to have her in our school,” he said.