Story by Fungai Jachi
Zimbabwean students continue to excel in regional and international school competitions, with Regina Mundi College raising the country’s flag high at a public debate competition held in Lagos, Nigeria, last week.
In a display of intellectual prowess, Regina Mundi College from Gweru emerged victorious at the Africa Region High School Debate Competition held in from the 12th to the 14th of this month.
The Catholic Church-run institution’s debate team, comprising six young learners, clinched the top position out of 28 schools drawn from Africa, earning the title of “Champions of Africa”, and lifting the country’s flag high in the process.
“We are happy to have brought the crown home. It means a lot to have won,” said one of the girls.
“It’s exciting to have raised our flag high and represent our country well,” another girl said.
The team’s impressive performance has not only made their school and country proud, but has also demonstrated the quality of Zimbabwean education.
The team brought back home two trophies and 20 medals in both public speaking and debate.
“My girls participated in public speaking category, relay speech and individual speech, as well as debate. Speech is the debate competition and with their relay speech and public speaking, out of 28 participants who managed to do all two days, six of them, which I went to in Nigeria, managed to be in the top 10 finalist category. I’m so happy because my students were able to focus their challenge despite the language barrier. And we are proud to announce that we are the region champions in debate,” said Regina Mundi College Debate and Public Speaking patron, Mrs Carol Perian.
Monte Casino Girls’ High also participated in the same competition.
“Our education system is one of the best and the girls did quite well and they gave them a good run for their money in their backyard. We are proud of them,” said Monte Casino Girls’ High representative, Mr Simbarashe Kasipo.
The Second Republic has been actively supporting young talent, including debate, through various initiatives such as giving them a platform to express their opinions in the Junior Parliament.
