The Debmarine Namibia/Energy 100 FM High School Debate League Cup kicked off on Saturday, 29 June at A Shipena Secondary School in Soweto, Katutura.
This platform features 24 high schools which are currently participating in the lengthy annual live radio debates on Energy 100 FM every Tuesday and Thursday between 14h00 and 15h00 for eight weeks.
The official event ends on 11 July with a grand finale taking place at Energy 100 FM. According to Fannes Namhuya who designed, organised and directed the event: “Comprehending critical and creative thinking requires debaters to process thought in a structured frame of mind. Apart from overcoming stage fright, confidence building and increase in general knowledge, children and youth who participate in these short- and long-term organised debate platforms benefit from a wide range of critical and creative thinking.”
Radio personality Chanté will return once more as the host for the finals. Concerning the competition, a new feature will be added to the radio competition. “An essay writing competition category remains another important component of this academic activity. The public is invited to the tournament as the audience but also as judges if they wish,” a statement by the organising committee said.
About 96 debaters gathered over the weekend to exchange skills, knowledge and socialise.
Winner categories include the winning team, runner-up, best male and female speaker (ambassador), overall speaker, newcomer (the winner will act as the junior ambassador in this new category), best adjudicator and volunteer of the cup. Winners will receive sponsored trips with accommodation courtesy of Namibia Wildlife Resorts, vouchers, certificates, and other prizes.
This year, the participating schools are Martin Luther HS, Walvis Bay Private HS, A Shipena SS, Windhoek Gymnasium Private School, Okahandja SS, Tanben College, CJ Brandt SS, M&K Gertze SS, Delta SS, Academia SS, Highline SS, Immanuel Shifidi SS, JG Van Der Wath SS, Hochland HS, Jacob Marengo Technical College, Combretum Trust School, Namib HS, Duinesig HS, Sunshine Private School, Ella du Plessis SS, Concordia College, St George’s College, Windhoek HS and Acacia HS.
Previous winners have been Jan Möhr SS in 2015, Deutsche Höhere Privatschule (DHPS) in 2016, Hage Geingob HS in 2017 and Delta SS in 2018.
