Zakhe has the gift of the gab
Zakhe Qwase of S'thengile High School in Clermont won the District 9 Libraries One City, One Book speech contest on 15 May.
NINE schools participated in the One City, One Book, District 9 Libraries speech contest held at Westville North Library on Friday, 15 May.
Following the theme of the day, ‘Is there Freedom of Speech After 20 Years of Democracy?’, Zakhe Qwase of S’thengile High School in Clermont won the contest, with Yaseera Lochat of Westville Girls’ High School second and Khumbuza Meyiwa of Thornwood High School taking third spot.
There were three judges – Patty Mankowski, a retired English lecturer from Westville, Sipho Mdumbe of Clermont and Dr Saths Govender, principal of Wyebank Secondary School.
Rajen Govender, District 9 manager, said the standard of the competition was very high this year.
“One of the judges, Dr Saths Govender, said there is a saying that dynamite comes in small packages. The winner of the speech contest was truly amazing,” said Govender.
Zakhe Qwase said the competition was tough, as he is a black Zulu boy and English is his second language, but he found the confidence and did his best.
“I want to thank my debating team, Seluleko Ndlovu, my best friend, and teacher, Mr Sithole, for their support and encouragement,” said Qwase.
He added that he hoped to pursue debating by entering a higher level of competition, but his dream career would be in medicine.
Each participant received a medal and certificate and the top three winners received a trophy, medal, certificate and a stationery pack.
