Wits Great Debate to be held soon

Representatives from the DA, EFF and ANC will go head-to-head during the annual Wits Great Debate: Local Government Elections 2016 on 14 July.

This event, which is set to be broadcast live on eNCA on the night, is an annual debate held at the university to get the students and the public a little more involved in elections.

By allowing the three leading parties to vocalise their intentions, views and promises to the public, they are able to garner votes from the public, but it also allows communities to hold these parties accountable for service delivery.

Wits has confirmed three candidates for the debate, in hopes of securing the three most senior candidates from each party to address the public – the names of which will be released at a date closer to the debate.

During the debate, a panel of Wits academics, as well as eNCA and independent experts will be given the chance to pose their questions to the representatives, after which the public will also be able to put forward their own questions.

Wits said it was hopeful that the public seats will be filled with students in order to arouse their interest in local elections, but emphasised that seats are open to the general public, upon purchasing a ticket.

To add to the excitement, it is confirmed that TV personalities Jeremy Maggs and Iman Rappetti will host the event where each representative will be able to debate to ‘win’ the City of Johannesburg – with the debate for the City of Tshwane being held on 21 July.

The Great Debate will take place at 7pm on 14 July, on the second floor of Senate House at the Wits Braamfontein East Campus and tickets are available for all those interested in becoming well-informed in order to make educated decisions regarding the governance of local communities.

The debate will also be streamed on the Wits Facebook page for the first time.