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MSA sponsors debating championship in Botswana

26 March 2008

A Botswana student's debating prowess has earned him a scholarship to study at Monash South Africa (MSA).

Bakang Phokoletso was awarded the prize for Best Male Speaker and Best Speaker Overall at the inaugural National Debating Championships held at St Joseph's College in Gaborone recently.

The championships, organised by the MSA Advancement Department in conjunction with the Botswana Department of Education, brought together 26 teams from senior schools across Botswana.

Bakang said he didn't expect to be the best speaker or be awarded a scholarship.

"I was just focusing on the competition," he said. "I feel honoured to be the first winner and am very excited to be given an opportunity to attend Monash. I encourage other learners to take part in extra-curricular activities such as debating and know that there are no limits if you believe in yourself."

Bakang will take part in his final school exams at the end of 2008.

MSA International Recruitment Executive Tshidi Khunou said the championships introduced a new style of debating to Botswana secondary schools, known as the 'Parliamentary Debating System'. Mr Khunou said the championships would become an annual event.

"The championship aimed to encourage students to embrace their educational opportunities and highlight the importance of exchange of opinions by means of debate," he said.

"Topics debated included: whether schools have the right to search students' lockers, whether smoking should be banned in public places, and whether the benefits of tourism overweigh the costs."

The overall winner of the championships was Maru-A-Pula School, which was presented with a trophy and individual medals for team members.

In second place was Gaborone Secondary School and Lobatse Senior Secondary School took third place.