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Nokukhanya Moyo, Sunday News Reporter
THE University of the Witwatersrand of South Africa put up a captivating performance and emerged winners of the tightly contested 2016 Pan-African Universities Debate Championship (PAUDC) final that was held recently at Midlands State University (MSU).
The team proved to be a cut above their counterparts from Nigeria and Zimbabwe putting up incisive arguments in debating the motion, “This house believes that the African Union should cease to consider the African Diaspora as its sixth region.”
Bongani Masilela won the public speaking championship, edging out Midlands State University student Carol Machingura who finished as first runner-up. Masilela’s victory ensured a clean sweep of trophies for Wits University at the PAUDC 2016.
The convener for PAUDC Mr Samuel Mlaye said: “Out of nine countries which include Botswana, Namibia, Uganda, Kenya, Mauritius, Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, Zimbabwe that were competing for the championship the South African team was able to walk away with the trophy.”
For their efforts, the team was crowned the maiden winners of the imposing Pan African Universities Debate Championship trophy complete with an all expenses paid holiday package to the Victoria Falls.
The convener said he was impressed by universities’ participation.
“I learnt a lot through team work. I was overwhelmed by the support shown by the MSU administration. I enjoyed working with the student organising committee, a team which had unparalleled hard working ethic. I am more than happy to have convened a tournament of such high standard with compliments coming in up to date,” he said.
The PAUDC chairperson, Miss Charity Makhala from Botswana said the tournament was well organised and even the MSU administration contributed a lot towards the debate tournament.
Miss Makhala said, “This year`s PAUDC has been great in all aspects compared to the other years and the institutional support was over whelming.”
She also encouraged debaters to participate in other activities that can help improve their life skills so as to be better leaders.
Miss Makhalima said the next PAUDC 2017 would be held in Cameroon.
Winners were also awarded a full package of a three days trip to Victoria Falls which was sponsored by Zimbabwe Tourism Authority.
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