From Krugersdorp to Thailand – Jan de Klerk has done it again!

Another world-class debater has been produced as Thandekile Ndlovu successfully represented Hoërskool Jan de Klerk and Africa at the Asian World Schools Debating Championships (AWSDC) in Bangkok, Thailand, in July.
AWSDC is a popular, prestigious and highly competitive tournament.

It is the battle of the debating giants, featuring over 60 teams comprising fine speakers each. Thandile, as she is affectionately known, and her team ranked eight – a monumental achievement. The icing on the cake was her speaker ranking. It is every debater’s dream to make the Top 50, especially in a world tournament. Thandekile was ranked 34th, this means she is the 34th best speaker in the world.

Thandile’s hard work, determination, perseverance, tenacity, humility, insatiable desire to learn and fighting spirit earned her the ticket to the South African National Team and subsequently Thailand.
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“She hails from an underprivileged background but has not allowed her circumstances to define her,” said Moses Dhokotera, the debating team coach.

The school’s holistic development philosophy is playing a very significant role in nurturing and grooming future political, religious, civic, intellectual and business leaders. “The school is nurturing what the world needs – critical thinkers and problem solvers,” said Marli Labuschagne, the team’s fundraising coordinator.