Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka
Herald Correspondent
A total of 21 schools from across Zimbabwe participated in the 2025 CBZ National Debate Tournament that was held in Harare over the weekend.
The event, which showcased the critical thinking and public speaking skills of students, was hailed as a resounding success by participants and educators.
The two-day tournament featured both junior and senior categories, with students demonstrating their prowess in impromptu debates judged under the globally recognised World Schools Debating Championships framework.
In the junior category, Munotida Nyamanhindi from Dominican Convent High School, Harare, emerged as the champion after demonstrating exceptional analytical and presentation skills.
Gamuchirai Musakasa from Kriste Mambo was in second place, while Vimbainashe Gwete from Dominican Convent was in third place.
Other schools that excelled in the junior category, finishing in the top 10, included Christian Brothers College and St Ignatius College.
The senior category saw a dominant performance by St George’s College, with Rudo Katesi clinching first place.
Her schoolmates, Makaita Makwanya and Christian Nhika, secured second and third places, respectively, underscoring the school’s strong performance in debating.
Other schools that made it into the senior category’s top 10 included Dominican Convent Harare and Bulawayo, Kriste Mambo, Falcon College, Gwanda High School, and Vimbai High School.
Speaking after the tournament, Dominican Convent Harare’s head, Sister Kudzai Mutsure praised the competition for its role in empowering Zimbabwean youth and preparing them for leadership roles.
“We believe that nurturing debate skills early helps to mould articulate, confident, and well-informed future leaders,” said Sister Mutsure.
She also expressed gratitude to CBZ Bank for its sponsorship of the tournament, which saw the financial institution investing US$30 000 to ensure the event’s success.
Now in its second edition, the CBZ National Debate Tournament is the result of a fruitful collaboration between Dominican Convent High School and CBZ Bank.
