B-Metro
Langalakhe Mabena
After staging their debate tournament virtually for the past three years due to Covid 19 and its restrictions, the Royal Pact Debate Academy (RPDA) has finally announced the return of the Royalties Debate Open Championship, as they will be holding on-site events.
Created in 2017, the tournament was formed to provide a platform for high school pupils to showcase their debating skills while also engaging in critical thinking and analysis of current issues.
To participate at the tournament, one should be enrolled at any high school in the country.
The founder and director of RPDA who is also the national debate team head coach Maison Maphosa, confirmed the return of the tournament .
“We are thrilled to announce that after a year of being held online due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the annual high school debate tournament will be returning to on-site events.
“The Southern region debates will take place at Gifford High School on 26 and 27 May, while the Northern region debates will be held at the University of Zimbabwe from 9 to 10 June.
“The top four teams from each region will advance to nationals, which will be held from 28 November to 3 December, in Harare.
This expansion of the tournament’s regions provides even more opportunities for students to compete at the highest level,” said Maphosa.
Maison Maphosa
He encouraged schools and pupils from different walks of life to participate at this year’s tournament for it will come with different benefits for the debaters.
The major benefit is that the national debate team scouts will be selecting the 2024 team during the tournament.
“The tournament is a great opportunity for high school students to develop their debating skills, improve their critical thinking abilities, and learn how to communicate their ideas effectively.
“I encourage different schools to participate at this year’s tournament as it is a platform that encourages intellectual discourse and promotes the development of future leaders who will be able to make a positive impact in their communities and beyond.
“Scouts will be monitoring the tournament and selecting students who will be part of the 2024 debate national team.
They won’t only be looking for more than just strong debating skills, but they will be observing how speakers handle pressure, interact with others, and adapt to different situations,” said Maphosa.
