Debating Coaching Project for Ennerdale High Schools

Late in 2024, the Debate Club captain of  the Fred Norman Secondary School Debate, Katlego Matsieng (see photo) approached the Institute of Race Relations for some support for the school's Debating Club Speech and Poetry Competition on 1 December 2024. An interest in public speaking had developed over the past couple of years.

The Institute and FSU SA (which at the time was a unit of the Institute) agreed that the FSU SA should take up an offer to be one of the judges of the competition. I duly did so and was also asked to make some short opening remarks. 

Each of the presentations were articulate, clear and the messages were communicated with passion and were well structured.

The creativity employed in some of presentations was impressive . The younger participants (participants ranged from 13 to 18 years old) only needed more practice to develop the confidence that the older students displayed, in spades!. Otherwise the promise of all of the participants showed real potential. Each and very participant did the school proud. It was, more than anything, a truly fun afternoon. 

So, I asked whether there was an interest in real debating - arguing lucidly and logically about a relevant topic with the aim of persuading the listener for or against a view.

Katlego was excited about it, as was Randall Raubenheimer, Head of English. So we met in the new year. I was told that there were other schools in the area that would be interested in participating, but foremost there was a need to develop skills before we could look at the schools competing against each other.

With the support of the principal, Ms Octavia de Villiers, Randall, Katlego and I agreed to look into a program.

I then found huge enthusiasm amongst university students who are involved in varsity debating with experience of coaching. 

A 12-week course has been developed which includes argument construction, rebuttal techniques, persuasive delivery, case-building exercises and regular assessment and report back.

The pilot project will start on 26 July 2025 and will have participants from up to 5 schools.

The students will compete against each other in a competition after the course has been completed.

At the very least, the students will have learnt skills that can only stand them in good stead in their communities and in ultimately in their working lives.

Using words rather than violence to diffuse disagreement may help the community to deal with the scourges of gangsterism and drug abuse.

Sara Gon                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Director FSU SA