Swaziland Team Warms Up for WSDC Scotland

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From http://www.times.co.sz/index.php?news=20294

MBABANE - The country’s national debating team did well in the African School Debating Championship held in South Africa.

The team came second and qualified for the finals after having won against countries such as Kenya, Zambia, Nigeria and Uganda. Their victory has earned them a place at the Debate World Championships which will be held in Dundee Scotland next year.

Throughout the tournament, the Swazi team displayed consistent unmatched intellectual, critical and tactical superiority over their opponents and were as a result commended for being the best achieving newcomer since the inception of the African Schools Debating Championship in 2007.

The finals against South Africa were held in Pan African Parliament at the Gallagher Convention Centre.

The theme of the debate was ‘This house would partition countries plagued with ethical violence’ and the locals were opposing to this motion.

Overall the Swazi team showcased superb style and admirable critical awareness but only came second to the more experienced South African side.

Forming the national debating team are Nelly Mbingo, Msimisi Sithole from Sifundzani High School and Tengetile Nhlengethwa and Fanelesibonge Mashwama both from Waterford kaMhlaba College.

Also participating in the African School Debating Championship was a Waterford kaMhlaba College team which displayed brilliant debate skills but was unfortunate as they got eliminated during the preliminary round. The adjudicating panel consisted of lecturers and professionals from Amsterdam University in the Netherlands, Oxford Union from UK and also Pretoria University.

According to the Director of Sabmas Production Leroy Ndikane, other debates still to come include the ASDC to be held in Uganda and he added that Swaziland’s participation in both events will be determined by the availability of funds.

"I would like to thank the American Embassy who gave us E7 000 for the trip to South Africa," said Ndikane.

He said this group was randomly picked as they did not use any criteria and interested sponsors may contact the team’s management on 76705503.