The public speaking club at Parktown High School for Girls was recently invited to participate in a youth speech contest and debate hosted by the Golden Key Society at the University of Johannesburg (UJ).
The topic of discussion was ‘South Africa in the eyes of a teenager’. The topic required learners to discuss controversial issues around government, corruption, policing, education, infrastructure, and crime.
Grade 11 learner Gadija Essop represented her school in the speech contest, with the support of five other Parktown Girls, who participated in the question and answer portion of the debate. Gadija won second place for her efforts.
She described the panel of adjudicators, which included senior members of the Golden Key Society at UJ and influential businesswomen in science, as impressive.
“The research I conducted in preparing for the speech enlightened me about the various concerns and issues we face as a nation… There was fierce competition for the speech and debate, however, it was successful in achieving its aim of encouraging the youth to debate current affairs of the country,” said Gadija. She added that she looks forward to participating in more debates and discussions on current affairs impacting youth.
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