3 March 2008
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| Bakang Phokoletso (left) with his trophies for Best Male Speaker and Best Speaker overall in the Botswana National Debating Championship, with Andre Lubbe Director of Advancement, Monash South Africa. |
A form five Botswana learner, from Gaborone Secondary School has won a scholarship to study at Monash South Africa. Bakang Phokoletso was awarded the prize for Best Male Speaker and Best Speaker Overall in the first National Debating Championships held at St Joseph's College, Gaborone recently.
The championship, organised by the Monash South Africa Advancement Department in conjunction with the Botswana Department of Education, brought together 26 senior schools, each with a team of six, from across Botswana.
At a cocktail launch function at the Gaborone Sun, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Monash South Africa, Professor Tyrone Pretorius, introduced the championship to a group of more than 50 teachers and representatives from the debating teams. He encouraged the learners to embrace all their educational opportunities and stressed the importance of exchange of opinions by means of debate. Also present was the Botswana Deputy Minister of Education, Honourable Minister Siele.
Bakang Phokoletso said: "I did not expect to be the best speaker, or to be awarded a scholarship. I was just focusing on the competition. 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 write his final school-leaving examination at the end of 2008.
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| Professor Tyrone Pretorius, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Monash South Africa with Botswana Deputy Minister of Education, Honourable Minister Siele at the Botswana National Debating Championship held in Gaborone. |
Tshidi Khunou, international recruitment executive at Monash South Africa, said that this Championship, which introduced a new style of debating to Botswana secondary schools, known as the 'Parliamentary Debating System' would become an annual event.
Topics debated included: "Do schools have the right to search students' lockers?" "Should smoking be banned in public places?" "Do the benefits of tourism overweigh the costs?"
The overall winner of the Championship was Maru-A-Pula School which was presented with a floating trophy and individual medals for team members.
In second place was Gaborone Secondary School and Lobatse Seniour Secondary School took third place.
The trophy for Best Female Speaker went to Priscilla Vencatachellapathee from Maru-A-Pula school. | 
