Joseph Joubert said, “It is better to debate a question without settling it than to settle a question without debating it.” It was in this spirit of lively debate and fierce argument that the debating society confidently challenged all competitors to produce a highly successful season.
The tone was set from the outset at debating practices, which were filled with a camaraderie that could not easily be rivaled by any other society at VP. The society was invigorated and inspired by the example set by our senior members: Leah Moodaley, Masinga Rune , Sinead Harrison and Precious Isaak. They must be commended for their impeccable manners, tireless work ethic and professional conduct. These are qualities that proved invaluable in raising the profile of the debating society. A word of thanks must also be extended to our dedicated mentors Mrs. Van der Merwe, Mr. Snodgrass and Miss Rankin for their contributions and long hours spent mentoring us. They gave us a great deal of confidence by imparting the necessary skills to become gifted debaters. They gave us the greatest gift this year: the freedom to express ourselves without reprimand. This gift was priceless and empowering.
The debating society not only successfully contested the first league debating competition but achieved a note of distinction by being the only Port Elizabeth School to compete in the Eastern Cape Provincial competition against the likes of DSG (Grahamstown), Hudson Park (East London), Queens College (Queenstown) and the esteemed St. Andrews College (Grahamstown). We achieved great success by being ranked among the top ten of the province. This competition also taught us a great deal about the finer details of debating and we were thankful for being able to watch the Rhodes debating society in action.
This year also saw our participation in the Alexandra Road High debating festival. VP surpassed all expectations and excelled by bringing home the best speaker awards thanks to the efforts of Sinead Harrison and our president Leah Moodeley. Leah Moodeley, in particular, was an excellent debater this year. Should she channel her argumentative flair and oratory skill into the political field, she would achieve great success as a potential parliamentary candidate.
Despite our achievements this year, we only see this as the beginning. The new board cannot wait to get back into action and give our opponents a verbal tongue lashing that they won’t forget!
ARIAN BADIER
