High school learners across Mpumalanga tackled critical transport and traffic safety issues during the Provincial Road Safety Debate Competition in eMalahleni on Saturday, August 15.

Six learners secured their spots to represent the province at the National Road Safety Debate Competition in September.

Three learners from the Ehlanzeni and Bohlabela districts will go head-to-head with others in the nationals in the rural category:

• Gideon Como of Sitintile Secondary School in KaNyamazane
• Kgodisho Thibela of Shobiyana Secondary School in Acornhoek
• Nonhlanhla Malinga of Hillaria Mthethwa Secondary School in Pienaar

Gideon also stood out to the judges as the best speaker in his category.

Sitintile Secondary School teacher Prince Tuis Mofokeng will coach the rural team for the nationals.

ALSO READ: Grade R learners explore future careers at Likhweti Primary School

Additionally, representing the Gert Sibande and Nkangala districts in the urban category will be:

• Thembelihle Mahlambi of Thistle Grove Combined School in Kinross
• Tshegofatso Mononyane of Somsuswa Secondary School in KwaMhlanga
• Lehlogonolo Masha of Witbank High School in eMalahleni

All debaters and trainers walked off with gold medals, trophies and goodie bags packed with golf shirts, headphones and R500 vouchers.

The finalists were also awarded brand-new laptops, while the best speakers received smartphones.

The debate was driven by the Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison. The purpose of the annual debate is to educate high school learners on critical transport and traffic safety issues, build public speaking and research skills and inspire youth to become active road safety ambassadors in their communities.