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School debate league launched in NC

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Pupils from 10 different high schools in the Northern Cape are set to participate in the Tshimong Debate League from August 20 to September 10, 2022.

Picture: Supplied

PUPILS from 10 different high schools in the Northern Cape are set to participate in the Tshimong Debate League from August 20 to September 10, 2022.

This follows the official launch of the league on August 6.

The Tshimong Debate League in the Northern Cape is being run by Shane Marvin Wolf, a second-year student at Sol Plaatje University, and a team of school co-ordinators.

Tshimong is a social enterprise that is based in Randburg, Gauteng, with the objective of striving to get the voices of young people heard.

The main branch in Gauteng operates under the leadership of Thami Pooe, Bongani Frank Masilela and Busi Mkhumbuzi Pooe.

The initiative has been lauded for having the potential to contribute to shaping the policies that affect the pupils’ daily lives, as well as their futures, and create change in their communities.

Through the tournament, the participating pupils get introduced to debating corporate social responsibility programmes to help young people develop important critical thinking, communication and leadership skills.

Wolf said that on the day of the Northern Cape launch they hosted more than 80 pupils, who were prepared for the tournament.

They worked with the Northern Cape school co-ordinators towards ensuring that the teams are equipped and well-trained for the league.

Wolf explained that the first three rounds will take place on August 20, while rounds 4, 5 and 6 will be held on September 3.

All rounds will be hosted at St Patrick’s Christian Brothers’ College in Kimberley.

“The provincial winners will have the opportunity to compete in Johannesburg against all the other winning teams from the other provinces,” said Wolf.

He highlighted that he believes that debating is often “underestimated”, and yet it is a powerful tool that the current generation needs in order to solve the burning issues facing society and the country as a whole.

“The aim is to see the Northern Cape on the map and make massive moves through debating, as it has positively impacted me as a young fellow of our Province,” he explained.

Hailing from Pampierstad, Wolf said that Tshimong moulded and made him the debater and leader he is today, thus he wants to pass on the very same legacy to other pupils in the Northern Cape.

Wolf is currently studying towards a Bachelor of Education degree at Sol Plaatje University.

He is a renowned debater who has represented the Northern Cape province at a national level countless times.

He was also an assistant coach in the South African Schools Debate Board (SASDB) Northern Cape and currently serves as regional manager of the Tshimong League and is an international public speaker and adjudicator.

Coming from an impoverished background, he sees himself “changing the narrative” and setting a new image and legacy for his family and upcoming generations.

He is “motivating the narrative” that debating, interlinked with education, can change the world.

Wolf revealed that his first national debate competition was at a Tshimong Nelson Mandela Debate Challenge.

He encouraged school principals from around the Northern Cape to see debating as an activity that can have a huge impact on pupils.

“I struggled to get as many schools on board as I wished to because some of the schools rejected the opportunity to be presented to the pupils,” said Wolf.

“I believe that rejecting the concept is depriving the learners of a life-changing opportunity, as debating is the most educational activity compared to other activities that principals heed to.

“My request is to see more participation from most, if not all, of the schools in the Northern Cape – taking and using debating as tool of learning and exploring.

“I therefore invite the teachers and principals of non-participating schools to see and feel the heat and impact of debating, and how learners turn into sound and critical leaders when standing on the podium.”

The 10 participating schools in the Tshimong Debate League are Emang Mmogo Comprehensive School, Emmanuel Secondary School, Kgomotso High School, Kimberley Girl’s High School, Olehile Manchwe Intermediate School, Reitlamile Intermediate School, Roodepan High School, St Patrick’s CBC, Vuyolwethu High School and William Pescod Secondary School.

Picture: Supplied

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