Trichardtsfontein learners excel during the Primary School debate competition

Friends of the Library hosted its annual primary schools debate competition at Kinross Sasol Club.

The event on 25 March 2026 had participants from 14 schools and 42 learners from the Govan Mbeki and Lekwa Municipalities.

Learners were quite prepared as they robustly debated whether parents should have rights to their children’s phones and whether online learning is more effective than classroom face-to-face learning.

All schools showed they had done proper research on the topics, delivering informative, engaging presentations that captured the audience throughout the competition.

The top two schools also tackled the advantages and disadvantages of Artificial Intelligence in education.

Trichardtsfontein Primary School bagged first position; Amazing Grace Academy claimed second position, and Stanwest Combined School managed to get third position.

Beverly Chari from Amazing Grace Academy could not contain her excitement when her name was mentioned for position one on individual scores.

Iminqwelo Mangala from Sasolia Primary School got position two, and Kaylah Nyamanhindi from Trichardtsfontein bagged position three.

All three learners walked away with laptops sponsored by the Gert Sibande District Municipality Councillor, Ms Nomkhosi Nompumelelo Zulu.

Gert Sibande District Municipality also sponsored the event with medals for all participants.

The event was graced by representatives from the Mpumalanga Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gert Sibande District Municipality, Lekwa Municipality, and Mr. Velaphi Sekwana from the Library Department.

Judges were Ms. Fozia Stuart from the National Debate System, Ms. Marlize Kemp from the Department of Justice in Evander, Ms. Levhuwani Matumba from Seskhona Media, and Mr. Zola Gwana from the GMM Sports, Arts and Culture Department.

They were joined by Ms. Martha van Rooyen, the record clerk, and Ms. Zika Makama, the time keeper.

Participating schools were Secunda Christian Academy, Highveld Muslim Schools, Amazing Grace Academy, Sasolia Primary School, Osizweni Primary School, Thorisong Primary School, Highveld Ridge Primary School, Thistle Grove Combined School, Allen Makhunga Primary School, Langelihle Primary School, Kinross Primary School, Trichardtsfontein Primary School, Stanwest Combined School, and Lamlile Primary School.

Ms Priscilla Naidoo thanked all the sponsors, the Kinross Sai Centre, Kinross Mini Market, Gert Sibande District Municipality, Friends of the Library, participating schools, learners, educators, the community, Sasol, and the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture for their continued support.