Debate teams give chapter and verse at local competition
19 April 2024
Three teams went head to head in a knockout competition, jointly organised by three City Libraries, courtesy of ward allocation funding.
Three schools participated in the first ever debate competition in Area South – Cape Academy of Maths, Science and Technology; South Peninsula Secondary and Cultivating Excellence.
The event was organised by the Southfield, Meadowridge and Tokai Libraries, and hosted at the Southfield Library Hall – at the behest of Councillor Eddie Andrews who spearheaded a similar initiative during his time as ward councillor in Mitchells Plain.
Andrews (Ward 73), provided ward allocation funding for the event, along with Councillor Carmen Siebritz (Ward 63) and Councillor Carolynne Franklin (Ward 71).
Teams went head to head in the knockout format competition before a panel of professional judges, with Cultivating Excellence walking away with top honours.
They were given one topic to prepare for, while the topics for the remaining rounds were only revealed before those rounds.
Topics debated included corporal punishment, smoking in public places and the provision of free sanitary products to women and girls.
'I am a fervent supporter of healthy competition, whether on the sports field, or on stage, and so I am very happy that we've been able to organise this competition, with the support of my fellow councillors Siebritz and Franklin. I want to congratulate the teams for the impressive showing of intellectual prowess and maturity. Our future is in good hands, and I can't wait to see what happens next year,' said Alderman Andrews.
Debating is a popular extra-curricular activity at many schools.
It helps learners develop their communication and critical thinking and listening skills, teaches them about collaboration and team work, and how to present information with persuasion.
'I am a fervent supporter of healthy competition, whether on the sports field, or on stage, and so I am very happy that we've been able to organise this competition, with the support of my fellow councillors Siebritz and Franklin. I want to congratulate the teams for the impressive showing of intellectual prowess and maturity. Our future is in good hands, and I can't wait to see what happens next year,' said Alderman Andrews.
Debating is a popular extra-curricular activity at many schools.
It helps learners develop their communication and critical thinking and listening skills, teaches them about collaboration and team work, and how to present information with persuasion.
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
