Young minds debate at Vaal inter-res tournament

The North-West University (NWU) Vaal campus held its first annual inter-res debate on Saturday, 14 May 2022, where 16 students participated. This was the first time that the inter-res debate was held in a room full of competitors and judges.

Tshepang Mokhatle (20), chairperson of the NWU Vaal debate society and Sbusiso Mhlongo (24), judge and member of the debate society, facilitated and managed the tournament. Oracia, Bohlale Village, Ebukhosini, Faranani, Longfellow, and Moahi Village were chosen to represent the off-campus residences. All on-campus residences also participated in the debate.

Each team consisted of two members who came together to share their thoughts and ideas on the topics given to them by the judges. The discussions were facilitated by Mokhatle.

Mokhatle explained why the inter-res debate tournament was started at the Vaal campus. “We collaborated with the Student Campus Council (SCC) academic office to facilitate important discussions amongst students. We wanted to let students have fun while applying their knowledge and communication skills.”.

Mokhatle said that there were three rounds, and each round would be an hour long. To kick-off the first round the topic was “Centering self-destructive and anti-social characters in media”, which saw Kumba leading the discussion.

In the finals, the Kumba residence team was up against debaters from the Faranani residence. The final debate was about “Proselytisation is the act or fact of religious conversion”. The debate style that was used was the same as the one being used at the British Parliament. Two students spoke for the motion while another two spoke against the motion.

Thabang Ramatshoele (21), a student in BCom financial accounting and academic officer at Kumba residence, described the supporting and opposing motions.

“The students supporting the motion were of the view that proselytisation is an action that is still widely practised in these modern days.” He said these students argued that proselytisation is not about forcing people to convert. On the other hand, students opposing the motion highlighted the problems associated with proselytisation, which are mainly power and influence rather than salvation.

After three rounds and three hours, the final opposing motion on proselytisation saw Kumba residence win the competition and walk away with the title.

Mhlongo explained why Kumba residence won the competition. “Kumba engaged with the information they gave as the opponents and did not dwell on opinions. Furthermore, they understood the content and debated on it according to the style used while clearly articulating why their bench was against the motion.”

He also added that points were mainly given for the time spoken, content, articulation, clear explanation, sufficient rebuttals, engagement and following the British Parliamentary style. As a judge who formed part of the panel that night, he ensured that students speak for the same period of time and the adjudication was executed in a fair and balanced manner.