Tembisa learners debate sexual health
The debates were hosted in each Ekurhuleni customer care area
Learners from different Tembisa schools competed in a fierce debate to showcase their public speaking abilities at Madlalane Hall in Extension Seven on February 8.
All Tembisa high schools were invited to take part by sending one representative public speaker and five supporting learners.
Learners presented their strongest points to a panel of judges on how best young people can take action and responsibility when it comes to sexual health.
City of Ekurhuleni spokesperson Themba Gadebe said the aim of this year’s High School Public Speaking Competition was to turn the tide against HIV/Aids-related infections and unwanted pregnancies among teenagers.
“As part of the Reproductive Health Awareness Month activities, high school pupils compete in public speaking knock-out stages from February 2 to 13 in customer care centres across the city,” Gadebe said.
This year’s topic for debate was: “Let our actions count. It is my right to know my status. Prevention is my responsibility.”
The debates were hosted in each Ekurhuleni customer care area, leading up to the grand finale event at the Alberton Civic Centre on February 14.
“While Cupid does his rounds this Valentine’s Day, February 14, Ekurhuleni’s youth will battle it out to be crowned the king, or queen, of debate at the High School Public Speaking grand finale at the Alberton Civic Centre,” Gadebe said.
In the Tembisa Customer Care Area, Thuto-Ke-Maatla (TKM) Comprehensive School came in third place, HM High Density Academy took second place and Madibatlou Middle School took first position.
Otsile Maibi, who represented Madibatlou Middle School, was humble in victory. “I know that learners from the schools have put in the same preparation as I did, but at the end of the day it is not about winning. It is about educating the youth on the epidemics. We have power to change the future,” said Maibi.
Victoria Sithole, who represented HM High Density Academy, said she was proud and happy that she succeeded. “I want to say to the youth: be yourselves and follow your dreams,” said Sithole.
TKM representative Mpumelelo Lushaba believes debates help in educating the youth, and said this year’s debate shows young people the significance of protecting themselves against epidemics. “I feel honoured to be part of this prestigious event,” said Lushaba.
Government health promoter Tshilidzi Nndwambi, who was also a member of the judges’ panel, said the aim of the debate is to help young people in preventing STIs, teenage pregnancy, HIV/Aids and TB. “These learners were able to display thorough knowledge and pass information to their peers. They had excellent knowledge on health issues,” said Nndwambi.
Another of the judges, Jabulile Mokoena from the Aurum Institute, applauded the City of Ekurhuleni for roping in stakeholders like the institute to help find strategic ways of preventing the spread of HIV/Aids. “Learners demonstrated a deep understanding and knowledge in the information that they were giving us. It shows that the learners did thorough research,” said Mokoena.
Jabulile Mazibuko from the National Association of Child Care Workers said the organisation will continue to support such initiatives because their core work is training adolescent girls between the ages of 18 and 24 to avoid HIV. “We preach adherence to medication to those who are already infected,” said Mazibuko, who was also judging. “We seek to reduce new infections. We encourage confidence, determination and independent thinking in the young girls. We are happy with the participants, they were confident and displayed exceptional public speaking skills.”
