Debating semis sees South Durban schools rise to the top
THE semi-finals of the South Durban Basin (SDB) Area Based Management (ABM) office’s ‘team speak’ competition was a resounding success, with four schools selected for the finals on 7 September at the Sustainability Expo at the Durban Exhibition Centre.
Created by the SDB ABM in partnership with the Department of Education, the competition saw 11 schools compete in teams of three.
“The first speaker has to introduce the team and present its approach to the topic; the second speaker then has to expand on the issue at hand and the third speaker summarises and provides some solutions to the issue being discussed,” said T Nyathi, youth co-ordinator of the Department of Education.
The theme for this year’s competition was environmental protection and sustainability. “It was evident that pupils, with the guidance of their teachers, had worked hard to prepare for the competition, as the standard of the presentations was excellent,” said team speak judge and director of the Earth Organisation, Yvette Taylor.
Programme director, Fiona Singh said it was exciting to see pupils getting involved in environmental issues and sharing their ideas on how to protect the environment.
The four schools into the finals are Isipingo Secondary, PR Pather, Mowat Park and Port Natal. The winning school will receive a floating trophy and the top three will receive a field trip to the Wildlife and Environmental Society of South Africa Treasure Beach education centre.
“We are delighted to host such a phenomenal project, which seeks to promote the culture of public speaking and debating in South Durban schools. Deserving particular commendation for me was the paper-making project proposed by Rossburgh High School. It is a do-able and high impact project that can and will make a difference to our environment,” said SDB ABM manager, Eurakha Singh.
