Events
One of the big events that the NWU-Puk's Debate Society takes part in is the annual Pan-Africa Universities Debating Championship.
The 6th Edition of the annual Pan-African Universities Debating Championship was hosted by Nigeria for the first time. The event which was held between 1st and 7th December 2013 has other countries like Botswana, Namibia, Cameroon, Ghana, South Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe participating. One hundred and seventy two debaters and adjudicators, drawn from 20 Universities across 8 African countries including Nigeria participated in the Championship. 20 countries had been invited but only 8 of these countries participated. Two of the adjudicators came from Australia. The remaining adjudicators were drawn from Nigeria, Botswana, Cameroon, Ghana, Namibia, Tanzania, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Out of the 172 debaters and adjudicators, 79 came from outside Nigeria. The theme of the Championship was, “Conflict, Insecurity and Good Governance in Africa.” The issue of corruption as the root cause of conflict insecurity and lack of good governance in African countries was thoroughly and skilfully debated by the students. The competition was divided into two categories namely:- a) Debate; and b) Public speaking. The University of Ghana was unanimously voted as the next host of the PAUDC in 2015. |
ACHIEVEMENTS
The NWU Debate Society has achieved a lot in it's short existence of only five years. The NWU Debate Society competes against national debate society's like the University of Stellenbosch Debate Society, which was already established in 1853. The NWU Debate Society also competes against international universities like the astonishing and well known University of Oxford which is situated in the United Kingdom.
The NWU Debate Society has achieved the following in 2014:
JOZI RUMBLE AWARD
The current executive president of the debate society, Michelle Groenewald, won the Jozi Rumble award in April 2014. This is a very prestigious award, which Michelle can truly be proud of.
NATIONALS
The NWU Debate Society made history, when two of their teams made it through to the quarter finals during nationals. They competed against 16 different national teams, which included teams from The University of Cape Town as well as The University of Stellenbosch. The competition during nationals were tight, but luckily the NWU Debate Society survived and made it close to the top.
WORLDS IN SLOVENIA
John Mark Burk and Duan Craffert went to Slovenia in December 2014 to compete against 68 international debating teams from universities all around the world, which included well known universities like The University of Cambridge. John Mark and Duan ended third out of the 68 competing international teams. This was a well deserved victory!
PAN AFRICA
Six teams from the NWU debate Society participated in Pan Africa, during 2014. Five of these teams went through to the quarter finals, semi finals and the after finals. This is a big achievement!
The NWU Debate Society has achieved the following in 2014:
JOZI RUMBLE AWARD
The current executive president of the debate society, Michelle Groenewald, won the Jozi Rumble award in April 2014. This is a very prestigious award, which Michelle can truly be proud of.
NATIONALS
The NWU Debate Society made history, when two of their teams made it through to the quarter finals during nationals. They competed against 16 different national teams, which included teams from The University of Cape Town as well as The University of Stellenbosch. The competition during nationals were tight, but luckily the NWU Debate Society survived and made it close to the top.
WORLDS IN SLOVENIA
John Mark Burk and Duan Craffert went to Slovenia in December 2014 to compete against 68 international debating teams from universities all around the world, which included well known universities like The University of Cambridge. John Mark and Duan ended third out of the 68 competing international teams. This was a well deserved victory!
PAN AFRICA
Six teams from the NWU debate Society participated in Pan Africa, during 2014. Five of these teams went through to the quarter finals, semi finals and the after finals. This is a big achievement!