Gandhi schools speech contest

THE Gandhi Development Trust will hold its annual speech contest final at the Phoenix Settlement on August 18 at 9am. “This is one of our key youth programmes. It involves hundreds of schools throughout KwaZulu-Natal and is aimed at Grade 7 pupils,” said managing trustee Ela Gandhi. “It comprises a contest in local neighbourhood areas where a host school invites neighbouring schools to participate in the first round of the contest. Each school chooses its own participants.” They are allowed to speak in English or Zulu and a school can enter either or both English and Zulu contestants. Finalists are then chosen to enter the second round and from there the top three Zulu speakers and top three English speakers are chosen.” She said an essay contest was aimed at Grade 10 pupils.

Writing

“Schools are allowed to send one essay in English and one in isiZulu. This contest helps improve writing skills as well as critical thinking and research.

“It is important that schools in the first round have an internal contest to select the best writer and thinker.

“To assist the writer with references to literature and to help with improvement of writing skills, they need to read. In this way many pupils benefit.

“It is for this reason that the Gandhi Development Trust encourages schools, as well as the pupils, by offering prizes to both. This applies to both the speech contest and the essay contest.”

This year, 22 pupils will compete in the speech finals from between 19 and 22 schools and six pupils from six schools will receive prizes in the essay contest.

For enquiries call 031 373 5486. – Staff Reporter