Young debater Lagos bound

Valerie Mpundu, Youth Interactive Writer

Val Shambare (17), a debater from Taal Net Group of Schools, Glendale, is set to hoist Zimbabwe’s flag in Lagos, Nigeria, where she is expected to compete in the continental debate.

Val is set to attend the High Schools Debate Challenge (HiDC), which will run from December 11-13, after being selected second best at the High Schools Regional Competition held on May 24, at Dzivarasekwa High School.

Although debating can look intimidating from the sidelines, Val appears confident, passionate and unwavering, maintaining skill and composure an art she seems to have mustered over the years. In an interview, the bubbly Val, who started public speaking in Grade One, to date is the youngest in the Debate Club. She took The Herald Youth Interactive through her journey on, before and after the crowds.

“I decided on public speaking because it was an escape from my childhood making me step out of my comfort zone. I love to challenge myself so it was a great way to do that. I am very stubborn and loud a combination only a public speaking platform can handle.

“In addition, it is a platform focusing on problems we face as a society so it raises awareness. It is such a great feeling knowing you have made a difference in someone’s life,” she said.

Val reckons her source of inspiration has been her mom, who has held her hand from day one and still supports her. “I had stage fright as a child but she assured me, she was not leaving my side. Her words have echoed with every presentation and I appreciate her support,” she said.

Currently, Val is in Form 3 pursuing Sciences as she hopes and dreams of becoming a cardiologist, quite a contrast considering she is more active in arts.”Yes, I am taking a different route right now, but I want to be a cardiologist and a combination of arts will not earn me that. I do not see myself pursuing public speaking any further than my Advanced Levels.

“I am going to major in medicine at university so I become a cardiologist, which I am very passionate about,” she stressed. However, she bemoaned the lack of recognition for arts subjects within the academic sector stressing they are hardly considered, an issue she strongly feels needs to be addressed.

“I think some schools try their best while other schools underrate and overlook arts since people believe sciences are for intelligent people and arts are for slow learners but that is actually not the case.

“Art requires critical thinking and intelligence as well, in reality, some arts students have higher intellect than science students. So, until people change their mindsets, arts will continue to be underrated,” she said.

Val emphasised the need for equality and recognition among genders, stressing that issues affecting the youth go undocumented and are never addressed. “Boys are being ignored when cases of abuse arise. Until we equal this and all gender stereotyping gets eliminated the gap shall always exist.

“Child marriages are being practised with teenage pregnancies still escalating. Most girls are not in school because some adults out there have a backward way of thinking and still cling to the idea that girls should be married,” she lamented.

As the days draw nearer, Val is on cloud nine counting her joys and blessings. She looks forward to the day she will set foot in Lagos, and meet with other students.

We wish her well as she continues to prepare while in anticipation of a victory yet to be.