Mbalenhle Primary wins Govan Mbeki Municipality school debate
Asibonge Mkhwanazi was the best speaker of the day, followed by Angel Hlophe as runner-up.
Mbalenhle Primary School emerged victorious at the Govan Mbeki Municipality Speaker’s School Debate Competition, held at the Lillian Ngoyi Centre in Secunda on May 8.
The competition, hosted for the first time at the primary school level, featured participants from Shapeve, Osizweni, Buyani, Thorisong, Allan Makhunga, Mpumelelo, Mbalenhle, Thandanani and Trichardtfontein primary schools, and Thistle Grove Combined School.
In her opening remarks, Govan Mbeki Municipality Speaker Fikile Magagamela expressed her excitement about expanding the event to include primary schools.
“This marks the fourth edition of the debate competition since its inception three years ago, but it is the first time we are including primary schools after an outcry about the exclusion of younger learners, and we realised the importance of equipping them early with communication skills that will help them articulate their thoughts clearly and confidently,” said Magagamela.
She emphasised that the competition’s goal is not to defeat opponents but to build learners’ confidence in public speaking, foster critical thinking, and teach them how to express their views constructively.
The debates were conducted in English, with each school sending a team of three to four learners. The topics debated included: alcohol should be banned in South Africa; the death sentence should be re-instated in South Africa; churches should pay annual tax like all profit-generating entities; social media platforms are destroying our social skills; and the current schooling system is no longer relevant and productive for the 21st-century generation.
The first three places went to Mbalenhle Primary School in first position, Trichardtfontein Primary School second and Thandanani Primary School third. Asibonge Mkhwanazi was the best speaker of the day, followed by Angel Hlophe as runner-up.
Magagamela congratulated all participating learners and highlighted how such competitions help develop vital skills such as teamwork, critical thinking, and general knowledge.
The secondary schools debate competition is scheduled for May 15.
