UKZN Law Students and NPO Facilitate School Debate

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Can South Africa Afford to Provide Free Higher Education to Students - was the topic of choice surrounding the Great Debaters 2017 event held at Magabheni Community Hall in Durban.

Thuto Pele Organisation (TPO), represented by third-year University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Law students Ms Zinhle Khoza and Ms Lungile Maluleka facilitated the event. The two students head the TPO’s debate club.

The non-profit organisation was established to demonstrate that poor academic performance can be reversed if all students are given adequate support and guidance that focuses on their academic needs.

Judges who attended the debate were UKZN Law Lecturers Mr Zwelethu Sibiya and Mr Maropeng Mpya, and UKZN Bachelor of Arts graduate Ms Thabile Buthelezi.

The TPO debate team was made up of pupils from Sidelile High School (in Magabheni) and Mcothoyi High School (in Mgababa) who showcased their public speaking and communication skills as well as their ability to formulate arguments.

‘The topic was designed to make the students aware of what they might have to encounter after the completion of their matric studies. We wanted to challenge them to become innovative and creative in researching ways that our country can possibly be able to afford free Higher Education,’ said Khoza.

‘We believe that the debate is a positive contribution to the discussion which is on-going in the country regarding free Higher Education,’ she added.

One of the questions posed by Mpya was if South Africa has a high unemployment rate, won’t free Higher Education damage its economy?

Grade nine learner Ms Ayanda Mabuza answered that free Higher Education will be healthy for the economy as graduates could become entrepreneurs and enter into professions that could create jobs for the unemployed thus reducing the high unemployment rate.

‘Graduates would be able to also pay taxes and this will be a positive contribution to the country’s economy,’ she added.

TPO is an organisation that aims to grow, encourage and motivate high academic standards amongst high school learners not only in KwaZulu-Natal but the rest of South Africa. This can only be achieved with the support of potential sponsors and donors. For more information contact thuthopele1@gmail.com.

Words by: Sibonelo Shinga