Interschools Public Speaking Competition Finals
- Marius van Staden
The School of Law hosted the national finals of the Interschools Public Speaking Competition on 19 September 2026
The day brought close to 1,000 learners onto campus, from more than 200 schools from around the country. Among them were Helpmekaar Kollege, Hoërskool Kempton Park, Pretoria High School for Girls, Jeppe High School for Boys, Paul Roos Gimnasium, Durban Girls' High School, Hermanus High School and Hoërskool Upington – which gives some sense of how far the Competition now reaches. In fact, around 7,000 learners took part in the preliminary rounds earlier this year.
The Competition is also valuable to our students. Twelve Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ students were trained as adjudicators for this year's Competition and all twelve went on to adjudicate on the day. It is rare for undergraduates to get that kind of structured practice in listening closely, applying a rubric and giving reasons for a decision in front of an audience, and they rose to the occasion with excellent feedback on our students from all.
I want to thank Ms Asma Ooni in particular. She starts organising this event in January and carries it right through the year, and that the day ran exactly to schedule from the first session to the last prize giving is very largely her doing. Ms Mpho Makgathe and Mr Sakhisizwe Mofomme supported her ably throughout and deserve credit too.
My thanks also to Mr Msimelelo Tshotyana of the School Liaison Office, who manned an information booth for the full day and gave three presentations at the high school prize givings. Having the University speak directly to that room of learners and parents, at the moment they were most receptive, is worth a great deal. I am certain that Msimelelo has convinced many future Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ies that they should study here.
Finally, thank you to Prof Gutuza, Prof Michele van Eck and Dr Nicolene Steyn, who welcomed participants, family and friends, spoke about the School during the day and handed out the prizes. The schools noticed and we came away with compliments.