The Walter Sisulu University’s (WSU) Mthatha Campus “Debating Council” secured an opportunity to compete in the Southern Africa Universities Debate Championship at Wits University recently.

The debate competition was a one day activity split into two categories, namely the Open category and English as A First Additional Language (ESL).

Representing the team was Ntlakanipho Mvanyashe, Amohatsoe Shale, Mthokozisi Mbixane and Mpumelelo Khumalo.

“There are two categories for which a team can register, the first one is the ESL which is like English as a first additional language and Opens which serve as English as a home language, and we registered for the ESLs,” said Mvanyashe.

The competition was a summation of three elimination phases, namely the quarterfinals, semi-finals and grand final.

Debating Council member Ntlakanipho Mvanyashe, said, “The tournament that we entered for was a hybrid national tournament as the preliminary rounds were online and now quarterfinals to grand finals are on site.”

The WSU Mthatha Campus Debating Council managed to make it through to the semi finals of the competition.

He further added that they are proud that they registered for the ESLs but made it through to the Open finals.

Debating Council member, Amohetsoe Shale, said, “The journey was exciting since this is one of the few instances where we broke into the finals in such a prestigious competition. However, it was terrifying representing a historically disadvantaged university is such a big platform, but overall, we are proud that we exist in such spaces.”

She added that they are proud to have lifted the WSU flag high and will continue doing so in pursuit of excellence.

In the overall top ten debaters of the competition Mvanyashe took the sixth spot while Shale took the fifth spot.

By Anita Roji