Township Debating League

Sinethemba and Zisukhanyo Debaters in Training Session led by Bradley Shuttleworth

SAEP, in collaboration with members of the University of Cape Town Debating Union, has launched a Township Debating League in high schools in the Cape Flats of Cape Town.  The formal launch took place with a workshop for participating high schools on Saturday, March 1, 2003.  The initial group included eight high schools:: Sinethemba, Zisukhanyo, Sophumelelo, and Vuyiseka High Schools in Philippi; Phakama High in Lower Crossroads; Dr. Nelson Mandela High and Oscar Mphetha High in Nyanga; and Fezeka High in Guguletu.

Luzuko Hina and Bulelani Futshane, SAEP Interns, who have organised and been training students in debating at Sinethemba and Zisukhanyo High Schools, took the lead in recruiting the high schools to the programme.  Bradley Shuttleworth and Kate Orkin, UCT debaters, are providing the training.  The first preliminary training session had been held on February 13 and involved students from Sinethemba and Zisukhanyo High Schools.  The second, held on February 17, included Sophumelelo and Vuyiseka High Schools as well.  Subsequently, three training sessions per week were conducted by the UCT Debaters.

Activities for the term ended with the first Township Debating League Tournament at Vuyiseka High School on March 21, 2003 that involved 22 teams from seven high schools.  This Tournament was won by a team from Fezeka High School in Guguletu.

In the second term, the league grew to include fourteen high schools, and the second Township Debating League Tournament was held at Oscar Mpetha High School in Nyanga on May 24, 2003.  This competition was won by Sinethemba High School. This competition also included two teams from a youth development organisation called Molo Songololo.  These teams were coached by Bulelani Futshane and Luzuko Hina of SAEP.

It is hoped that another eight to ten schools will join the league during the third academic term, including a cluster of eight schools from Mitchell's Plain township.

.  SAEP says a special word of thanks to Brad Shuttleworth and Kate Orkin and the other UCT debaters for all the time, energy, and inspiration they have brought to this project.  

Brad Shuttleworth

Bulelani Futshane & Zisukhanyo Debaters

Two Sinethemba Debaters