Gauteng shines at nationals

Teams from Gauteng came out tops at the South African National School’s Debating Championships.

The annual championships were attended by more than 200 pupils from grades 7 to 12 who were selected as the strongest debaters by their respective provinces.

The first four days of the tournament were held in the Wits Science Stadium on the Braamfontein West Campus. Wits also served as the residential site for the young delegates.

The final rounds of the tournament were held at Constitution Hill which houses the South African Constitutional Court.

Paula Rainha, director of the Education Project at Constitution Hill said the staging of the finals at Constitutional Hill was consistent with their mission to educate young South Africans about human rights, democracy and constitutionalism.

“The debating championships is one of the best ways of accomplishing this as debating increases knowledge, and engagement with human rights and constitutional issues,” said Rainha.

“Furthermore the nationwide, inclusive and democratic nature of the championships promotes the skills, values and attitudes needed for young people from all over the country to become agents of change in their communities.”

Early speculations by teams from other provinces came true when the Gauteng province won the senior and junior division of the championships. Gauteng is revered for its strong debating culture in schools.

The best adjudicators’ awards were given to David Harris from the Western Cape, and Lisha and Geena Seham Areff from KwaZulu-Natal.

“The South African team chosen from the children of this tournament will surely be something spectacular,” said conference coordinator Debby Nixon.

The team will represent the country at the 26th World Schools Debating Championships next year.

South Africa ranked fourth at the last championships in Turkey.