​​​The Speaker of Council in the City of Johannesburg, Cllr Nonceba Molwele, launched the Speaker’s Debating Cup in partnership with the Pan Africanist School Debating Council at the Council Chambers in Metro Centre, Braamfontein, yesterday.

This pilot programme seeks to involve high school pupils in the business of Council and amplify their voices in council business and other issues affecting them in life like unemployment, inequality and poverty, among others.

Research has shown that the benefits of engaging in debate are numerous. It builds confidence, public speaking skills and critical thinking among the participants, which are key skills in strengthening South Africa’s democracy.

It was with this in mind that the Speaker felt the need to introduce the Speaker’s Debating Cup to bring more awareness to communities, young people, principals, school governing bodies and parent.

“Debating can develop leadership skills in young people. It sharpens focus, allows for young people to better at research. It enables young pupils to be able to articulate concepts and ideas. It also improves their public speaking skills, enhances their critical thinking, and critical analysis and thus improving their ability to argue for and or against certain ideas. It really does groom them to be all round level-headed leaders of now and of the future,” said Cllr Molwele.

The programme started with a vibrant debate on Junior Council elections. Some speakers felt that the making of policies is not transparent and not publicised enough among the youth in the City of Johannesburg. Two years of office not enough as well.  Elected junior councillors have learnt and grown in politics at a young age through different programmes.

Many pupils agreed that the government needed to allow the youth to engage in Council issues beyond just social media but invite them to contribute to democracy. They suggested the involvement should start at high school level.

The head of the Johannesburg Student Council, Brenda Andrews, as well as the Pan African Schools Debating Council’s Vice-President, Itumeleng Mohanoe, welcomed the participants.

Andrews said she believes that young people should be given a platform to participate meaningfully in all kinds of debates and no one should be left out. “We need to bring on board as many partners and as many young people as possible into the programme,” she said.

The debate was live on the City of Joburg’s social media platforms as well as Speaker’s page “Nonceba Molwele” on Facebook and @Speaker CoJ on Twitter, Jozi Fm and later streamed on Eldos FM, Radio Islam, Chai FM and Eastwave FM.