KZN WINS SA NATIONAL DEBATING CHAMPIONSHIPS 2006

Local debaters, representing the Phoenix and Newlands Debating Leagues, have won the national competition for the second consecutive year. In addition they scooped best overall speakers of the tournament; most number top ten SA debaters and 11 debaters selected as trialists for the SA national teams.

The National Schools Debating Championship took place at St Patrick’s College, Kimberley, from 3rd to 7th December. This prestigious event involved 36 provincial teams as well as a team from Namibia. KZN was represented by 4 teams and a total of 20 debaters from leagues all over the province. The competition involved 36 Open teams and 16 Development teams. The open category caters for all learners at the competition. Some of the open teams are also given development status to reflect the disparity in education levels and access to English teaching. At quarter finals the top 8 Open and top 8 Development teams ‘break’ to their respective Quarter-finals.

All four KZN teams broke to Quarter finals in their respective sections, KZN A breaking first in the Open category and KZN D breaking first in the Development category.
The final results were KZN C winning the development category while KZN A was the runners up in the open category. Krelin Naidoo and Matthew Butler-Adams, of the Phoenix and Durban league respectively, were best overall debaters of the tournament in their categories.

The Phoenix Debating League was represented by 8 debaters: Krelin Naidoo; Quintin Moodley; Renita Balgobind; Jolene Duleep; Simone Mavaparsad; Kreshalen Govender; Karishma Maharaj and Zia Maharaj. All 8, who feature in the National Top Ten Debaters, have now been selected as trialists for the South African teams to next years international debating competitions in South Korea and Czech Republic. Quintin and Krelin were selected as trialists for the Open teams. The KZN teams were coached by Daniel de Kadt; Fabio Zoia; Lerushca Smit and Shakila Kooblal.

Michelle Govender, of the Phoenix Debating League, was full of praise for the KZN teams. “We have certainly proved that a lack of resources is not an obstacle to attaining success. The teams trained very hard, sacrificing every Saturday and Sunday to prepare on a range of local and international issues. We are also elated that all 8 Phoenix debaters are in the country’s Top Debaters list as well as being SA trialists. It is an honour to have won the finals for the second year in a row. The standard of the national competition is very high and all provincial teams were just as determined to take the trophy back to their province.” She also acknowledged the North Coast Durban Diwali celebration committee and UKZN for their sponsorships that enabled the teams to travel to Kimberley.

KZN’s achievements illustrate that it is far and away the best debating province in South Africa.

Courtesy, Shakila Kooblal
Source http://www. poenixza.com

Regards,
Rashedul Hasan Stalin