Nelson Mandela once said, "Sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great. You can be that generation." The speakers at the 8th Siyakhuluma Youth Speaking Festival on Wednesday, 24 September, fully embraced Madiba's words, celebrating both the voices of South African youth and Heritage Day.
Speaking on the topics "South Africa: All the Feels" for the junior section and "South Africa: Paradise Lost, or Paradise Found?" for the seniors, participants shared their concerns and frustrations about our country, but also their hopes and pride. The adjudicators had a hugely difficult task in selecting the winners, and after much debate, announced the following results:
Junior Section:
1st place: Yaseem Bhamjee, King Edward VII School
2nd place: Natasha Nhlema, Norkem Park High School
3rd place: Yolanda Bewana, Centurion College
Senior Section:
1st place: Angelina Mandlate, Centurion College
2nd place: Ncube Nobubele, Kenilworth Secondary School
3rd place: Sandile Mazibuko, Masimbambane College
Our panel of adjudicators included Mr Oyama Mbandla (Council of St John's College), Ms Angela Bruwer, and Mr Merlin Love (Alston 2017) for the Junior Section, and Ms Angel Jones, Mr Warren Masombuka (Nash 2019), and Ms Lula Pam-Grant (Runge 2018) for the Senior Section. "Thank you to all of you, not only for giving up your time but for providing such helpful feedback on the speeches and advice on the skills needed in a competitive workplace and in our country," said Ms Heather Venables.
"I was also so proud of our MCs in both sections," she said. Connor Ryan and Lwazi Ngwenya (LIV Hodgson) in the Junior Section, and Zizi Kheswa (UIV Fleming) and Botaki Matsoku (UIV Hodgson) in the Senior Section, kept proceedings flowing smoothly and added witty and interesting insights to the speeches throughout the day.
The Festival was supported by schools from across Gauteng: St John's College, St John's College Academy, Centurion College, Helpmekaar Kollege, Kenilworth Secondary School, King Edward VII School, Masimbambane College, Norkem Park High School, Parktown High School for Girls, and Roedean Academy.
"The friendship between our schools is evident in the support each school gives to all other speakers and also in the joyful dancing and socialising over lunch," Ms Venables noted. The contestants enjoyed a delicious South African feast while Kabir Bundlender (UVI Runge) provided entertainment with his vibrant and irresistible music.
Thank you to Exclusive Books for their ongoing support of the Festival and their generous contribution of vouchers for the winners.
"The Youth Speaking Festival truly is a celebration of the youth and our country and is the most inspiring way to spend Heritage Day!" said Ms Venables.
Siyakhuluma!
