WATCH: Gauteng comes second at the national school debate and dialogue

It was a matter of a fraction of points that separated Gauteng and Mpumalanga provinces at the second Youth4SaferSouthAfrica Debate Tournament held virtually on November 27.

The Gauteng team, which was based at Glenvista High School, got 98%, while the winners Mpumalanga received 98.6%.

Safer South Africa Foundation (SSAF) in partnership with the Department of Basic Education hosted the tournament.

Learners from various schools troubled by school violence, gender-based violence, bullying and other related challenges were selected to represent Gauteng at the national youth crime-prevention school debate competition in which eight provinces participated.

Participating learners are all graduates of Safer South Africa’s Communities and Justice Programme (CJP), which promotes youth crime prevention through education and awareness.

Gauteng was represented by Siphesihle Nyandeni, Jessica Kaninda, Ketia Bikouta, Nkosazana Maseko, all from Glenvista High School and Malehlohonolo Mtimkulu from Thuto – Tiro Comprehensive School.

Youth4SaferSouthAfrica National Debate is part of an effort led by SSAF to educate and encourage young people to participate in the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children.

English educator and debating coach Michael Gwara said it was a tough tournament.

“With more practice, we will get better. You lose some and you win some. We thought this was in the bag as you saw it was just a fraction that separated us from the winners. The learners did their best, we are not disappointed, we are happy,” he said.

Glenvista High School principal Thabile Morgan said her learners are tops. “We produce the best learners in the province. Our learners were eloquent; I’m not worried about the judge’s decision. We are producing leaders and stars here. They must watch the space in 2022,” she said.

Edna Mamonyane, Safer South Africa Foundation’s Gauteng provincial coordinator, thanked all the sponsors of the tournament, as well as the learners who participated.

About the debate and tournament

The Youth4SaferSouthAfrica National Debate involves high school learners between Grades Eight and 11.

Participating learners obtained high grades in the essays they compiled as part of the CJP they graduated from.
Five finalists from each province are democratically elected by the participating peers to represent their respective provinces.

The Youth4SaferSouthAfrica National Debate tournament is a partnership between Safer South Africa Foundation, The Training Firm, the Department of Education, Pick n Pay, Engen, Clinix and many other partners who are joining hands to commemorate the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children.

Two hundred learners from eight provinces participated in the programme. Northern Cape is the only remaining province.

The training firm developed a virtual multi-week youth leadership and programme for the foundation. The virtual zoom-based training programme offers a unique platform to reach learners in rural areas and underprivileged communities.

The various provincial Departments of Basic Education provided well-equipped state-of-the-art facilities to host the seven-week training programme.

The national debate is an extension of the CJP run by SSAF in partnership with the SAPS, Traffic Departments, National Prosecuting Authority, magistrates, correctional services, Department of Basic Education, SA Human Rights Commission and the Banking Association of South Africa. The programme is offered at schools.

So far, 910 learners from 21 schools in Gauteng have been exposed to the CJP. Nationally, over 100 schools and above 5 000 learners have been reached.

“We need to wage the fight against crime on all fronts, proactive and reactive. Crime-prevention measures with a focus on youth have great potential in the long term to reduce violence and crime rates in society,” said Gen Riah Phiyega, CEO of Safer South Africa Foundation.