Crawford College Sandton learner Tavleen Katari has reached new heights, joining the Gauteng Provincial Junior Debating Team.
The young woman was recently selected to join the team after only beginning her journey in the debate in Grade 8 last year. “I love public speaking and have always looked for opportunities to improve my verbal communication skills, so this where I get my passion for debate from,” said Tavleen.
According to Tavleen, looking back on her journey in debate thus far, being selected for the provincial debate team has been one of the three most important achievements of her life. The first of these achievements was in Grade 7 when she came first in the Science-in-Action (Wetenskap-in-aksie) competition hosted by the Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns
The second came in Grade 7 when Tavleen was honoured with the Dux Scholar Award at Montrose Primary School. “In total, I won 13 awards in many different categories. And now, being able to represent my wonderful school and province at such a level is the greatest honour I have achieved.”
The most memorable moment in Tavleen’s career, however, came at the renowned South Africa Council for English Education tournament earlier this year.
“My Crawford team was the runner-up of the competition, my first official debate achievement. Then at the provincial trials, my team made it to the quarter-finals. I was selected based on my performance at provincials and the written application I submitted.
“My ultimate goal at the end of high school is to earn my honour’s blazer, and I believe that my success in debate will help make this dream come true. I hope that I will have the opportunity to keep making my parents and my school proud.”
While Tavleen doesn’t necessarily see a future in debate professionally, she does hope to use those communication and argumentative skills in other aspects of her life.
But in the meantime, the young learner continues to enjoy debate and public speaking, all while dabbling in the violin and keeping active with netball and swimming.
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