Zimbabwe debate, public speaking teams win in South Africa
The chronicle
Langalakhe Mabena
Zimbabwe’s national debating and public speaking teams once again hoisted the country’s flag as they won gold, silver and bronze medals in their respective capacities at the Johannesburg Summer Holiday Debate Championship.
The tournament was held at St Stithians Boys School in Sandton, Johannesburg last month.
The debate team was represented by Ashley Musendekwa from St George’s College, Arïel Shamiso Chiza from St John’s Emerald and Clive Mbudaya from Mzilikazi High School. The public speaking team consisted of Tendai Sithole and Vimbainashe Gwimbi, both from the Midlands province.
Ashley Musendekwa
The debating team finished third and returned home with the bronze medal. The team was also awarded a gold trophy for the first break in the semifinals of the tournament.
At individual awards, Chiza was crowned best debater overall and received a gold medal and trophy. Musendekwa was the 7th best debater while Mbudaya became the 8th best debater and both received medals and certificates.
In the public speaking, Sithole came in second and was awarded a silver medal. Gwimbi came out third and she was awarded a bronze medal. She was also awarded a gold medal for Best Prepared Speech and News Reading.
Overall, the speaker team won two gold medals, one silver and one bronze.
Maison Maphosa, the head coach of the national debate, said he was satisfied with his team’s performance and as they close 2022 with a good result, setting a standard to be maintained for the new team of 2023.
“The national debate and speaker teams have made us proud and we celebrate the teams for their achievements. It was the best way to end 2022 and start a new chapter with the new team as we look forward to the new year.
“We have already selected the teams that will represent the country for 2023 and we will prepare them to uphold the excellence associated with national team values,” Maphosa said.
Meanwhile, for 2023, the two teams will represent the country at the World Schools Debating Championships, the Olympics of High School Debating in Hanoi, Vietnam, and the Dutch Schools Tournament in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Ariel Chiza
The first senior team consists of Banqobi Xaba from Matopo High School (Matabeleland South), Shumirai Chigadza from Peterhouse Girls School (Mashonaland East), team captain Prosper Madora from Goldridge College (Midlands), Daniel Chibafa from St. John’s (Masvingo) and Tashinga Muzanenhamo from Arundel (Harare).
The second team consists of Simbarashe Dube from Peterhouse Boys (Mashonaland East), Captain Chiyevo Mukonoweshuro from Dominican Convent (Harare), Clive Mbudaya from Mzilikazi High School (Bulawayo), Ariel Chiza from St. John’s Emerald (Harare) and Ayaan Khan from St John’s College in Harare.
In the coaching department, Maphosa retained his position as head coach, with former captain Methembe Mthimkhulu becoming team manager.
