adminMorris Mtisi
THREE lucky debating club members from Sakubva 1 High School in Mutare and their trainer-coach, Mrs Celia Jack, shall be in Dallas, Texas, in the United States of America between June 12 and 19, 2015.
The three Upper Six students — Anesu Masakure (18), Debating Club president; Shalom Chokudya (18), vice-president; Patricia Madzime (18), club treasurer — are visiting the USA at the special invitation of the organisers of the World Old Schools Debating Championships.
After a series of several National Speech Relay Championship victories in competitions organised by the Contemporary Affairs Foundation (CAF) based in Bulawayo, Goromonzi and Sakubva high schools qualified to represent Zimbabwe at the Dallas, Texas, championships in June.
The Sakubva trio led by president Anesu thanked their school head, Mr Abisha Mupita, and the SDC for supporting school extra-curriculum activities and making their American dream come true. Honourable Anesu, also parliamentary child governor-Manicaland, paid tribute to Mrs Jack for grooming them into celebrity debaters.
“She is such a patient and loving coach,” said the club president about Mrs Jack, unable to hide his excitement about their collective success.
“After Dallas we vow to come back to Sakubva and continue to keep the fire burning and keep raising the school flag high.
“This is a legacy we are determined to carry beyond the Dallas dream.”
Shalom, the vice president, described the Dallas trip as a dream come true.
“I’m extremely excited. I’ve always dreamt I want to experience an international adventure. Here we are. God is great. Our little school putting Manicaland and Zimbabwe on the world map! Who could have had such a dream?” she said.
Patricia Madzime revealed that if they qualified into the quarter finals in Dallas, the World Old Schools Debating organisation shall offer the Sakubva trio scholarships to study in the USA at universities of their choice.
“I’m pleasantly shocked . . . dumb-founded. Who ever dreamt we would be chosen to represent Sakubva, Manicaland and Zimbabwe?” she said, also evidently unable to conceal her delight.
The SDC took this opportunity to appeal for financial aid from well-wishers to help them raise the $25 000 needed to fund the USA trip.
“We have already raised part of the money, but are still far from reaching the figure.
“We appeal to well-wishers to extend a hand.
“Our account number is ZB 4532-443294 080. You can contact the school head on 0774 300 005, landline 020-60455 or me on 0777 683 965,” Mrs Chikamba (nee Makuwakuwa) said.
Mrs Jack said her appetite for debating can be traced back to Chimanimani High School and Rusitu High where she groomed flaming award-winning debaters and orators.
“That is where it all started,” she told The Manica Post.
“The secret of successful debating lies in a number of skills; intelligent understanding of the demands of the topic, ability to cleverly define the topic, smart structural role splitting, logical presentation of facts, high command of the language, charismatic and intelligent persuasion of the audience and appropriate body language that does not resemble wild dramatic stage-acting,” she pointed out and thanked Mr Mupita’s support of the debating club.
“We couldn’t come to this without him,” she said.
Mrs Jack is visibly proud of her debating heroes and heroines and is in the seventh heaven about their successes, especially the USA trip.
Shalom Chokudya, also a Sakubva senior prefect and choir president, revealed that if the scholarship to study in the USA were offered as promised, after qualifying into the quarter finals, she would study cardiology, the practice of heart surgery.
President Anesu said he would study computer science, adding, “I must say I also have a huge appetite for politics,” and casting a noticeable mischievous smile.
Patricia Madzime said she would like to study gynaecology.
The Manica Post and the educational materials writer and guest columnist wish the three Sakubva debate students and Mrs Jack a USA trip full of great opportunities and memorable joy in Dallas.
Online Reporter