Online Reporter
Langalakhe Mabena, Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
ROYAL Pact Debate Academy (RPDA) continues to fly the national flag high on the continental debate stage after scooping three prestigious accolades at the Africa Debater of the Year Awards, held on December 6 at the Johannesburg City Council Chambers in South Africa.
The academy walked away with the Baobab Mentorship Award and the Sankofa Debate Architect Award, while head coach Maison Maphosa added to RPDA’s achievements by winning the Hakuna Matata Discourse Award.
For the Baobab Mentorship Award, named after the iconic African tree symbolising strength and legacy, RPDA stood out against strong contenders, including Coach Itu Academy (South Africa), Vacation Spars (Ghana), and Ghana’s Speech Forces.
The award recognises debaters, societies, or unions that bridge the gap between schools and universities through consistent mentorship and coaching initiatives.
RPDA further cemented its impact by securing the Sankofa Debate Architect Award after defeating the Debate Association of Kenya, Olympia Debate Society (Uganda), and Speech Forces (Ghana). This award honours institutions that have strengthened the African debate ecosystem through mentorship, inter-university collaboration, and impactful tournaments.
Coach Maphosa triumphed in the Hakuna Matata Discourse Award category, defeating Kenya’s Isaac Njuguna. This accolade celebrates debaters who model respectful, empathetic, and ethical dialogue when addressing contentious African issues.
Maphosa said receiving three accolades was a validation of RPDA’s commitment to developing the debate culture on the continent.
“It’s always a great feeling to win something, especially at the end of the year. We worked hard in 2025, taking part in many continental debating platforms where we also performed well. The team truly deserved these wins at the Africa Debater of the Year Awards, and I hope this inspires them to maintain the same effort next year,” said Maphosa.
He dedicated his individual honour to the RPDA coaching and technical team.
“My win is a blessing, and the award is very important to me. It’s dedicated to the team I worked with this year because without them, I wouldn’t have realised this dream. They really made things happen. With their support, we’ll continue doing what we do best — mentoring young debaters and equipping them with the essential skills to become not just great debaters, but great leaders,” he said.
This year, Amon Manhlupo, a member of RPDA, was crowned Champion at the International Schools Debating Championships (ISDC) and was also recognised as the tournament’s second-best speaker.
In July, the academy was honoured with the Humanitarian Award by the Genesis Foundation, recognising its outstanding work in grooming vulnerable children and helping them realise their full potential both academically and in debate.
The academy further made its mark by hosting its own flagship events this year — the inaugural RPDA Super League and the Royalties Debate Open Championships (RDO Nationals) — platforms that allowed local schoolchildren to showcase their academic excellence and debating talent.
