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Langalakhe Mabena
Zimbabwe debate and public speaking national teams raised the country’s flag high once more as they won gold, silver and bronze medals in their respective capacities at the Johannesburg Summer Holiday Debate Championship.
The tournament was held last month at St Stithians Boys School in Sandton, Johannesburg.
The debate team was represented by Ashley Musendekwa from St George’s College, Arïel Shamiso Chiza from St John’s Emerald and Clive Mbudaya from Mzilikazi High School. The public speaking team comprised Tendai Sithole and Vimbainashe Gwimbi both from the Midlands Province.
The debate team was crowned third and they came back home with the bronze medal. The team was also awarded a gold trophy for breaking first in the semi-finals of the tournament.
On individual accolades, Chiza was crowned the overall best debater and was given a gold medal and a trophy. Musendekwa was the seventh-best debater while Mbudaya became the eighth-best debater and they were both given medals and certificates.
In public speaking, Sithole emerged in position two and was awarded a silver medal. Gwimbi emerged at position three and she was awarded a bronze medal. She was also awarded a gold medal for being the best in prepared speech and news reading.
In total, the public speaking team bagged two gold medals, a silver and a bronze medal.
Maison Maphosa who is the national debate head coach said he was happy with the achievement of his team and as they closed the year 2022 on a high note and set a standard to maintain for the incoming 2023 team.
“The national debate and public speaking teams did us proud and we celebrate the teams for their accomplishments. It was the best way to end 2022 and start a new chapter with the new team as we’re looking forward to the new year.
“We have already selected the teams that will represent the country for 2023 and we will groom them to maintain the excellence that is attached to the values of the national team,” said Maphosa.
Meanwhile, the two teams for the year 2023 will represent the country at the World Schools Debating Championships, the Olympics of High School Debating in Hanoi, Vietnam, as well as at the Dutch Schools tournament to be held in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
The first senior team comprises Banqobi Xaba from Matopo High School (Matabeleland South), Shumirai Chigadza from Peterhouse Girls School (Mashonaland East), team captain Prosper Madora from Goldridge College (Midlands), Daniel Chibafa from St John’s (Masvingo) and Tashinga Muzanenhamo from Arundel (Harare).
The second team is made up of Simbarashe Dube from Peterhouse Boys (Mashonaland East), captain Chiyevo Mukonoweshuro from Dominican Convent (Harare), Clive Mbudaya from Mzilikazi High School (Bulawayo), Ariel Chiza from St John’s Emerald (Harare) as well as Ayaan Khan from St John’s College in Harare.
On the coaches department, Maphosa retained his position as head coach with former captain Methembe Mthimkhulu becoming team manager.
Online Reporter