Three teams vie for regionals after yet another tough round
Close scores show narrow victory, with pupils delivering special Women’s Month rendition
THREE teams will be moving on to participate in the regional competition of The Star High Schools Quiz competition, in partnership with IIE’s Varsity College.
The third round proved to be another close win for the three quiz whiz teams, who battled five other schools to proceed to the regional competition.
Lotus School of Excellence in Lenasia hosted the third round, with eight teams participating.
The team of four from John Orr Technical High School in Milpark had it tough from the teams of hosts Lotus School of Excellence, Progress Comprehensive High School in Soweto, Roshnee Islamic School in Vereeniging, Sizwe Second- ary School in Germiston and Tlhatlogang Secondary School in Soweto to reach first place, only a point ahead.
The Roshnee Islamic School team was narrowly followed by the Lotus School of Excellence. All three teams had a difference of one point in their overall scores, securing a place in the regional competition on September 1.
The overall scores of the three teams were between 22 and 20. The scores show that the learners did adequately, but they have to buckle down and study the newspaper much harder if they want to progress to the nationals.
The regional competition will include more questions that will be at a higher level than the first three rounds.
The learners embodied the spirit of Women’s Month in their performances in between the categories and intervals.
A group of five girls from the Lotus School performed a melody of Asimbonanga by Johnny Clegg, but remixed it by singing asimbonanga uWinnie Madikizela thina.
Katleho Mthenjane from Tlhatlogang Secondary School, who says she’s a feminist, gave a speech about gender-based violence.
Salmaan Bulbulia from Roshnee Islamic School spoke about the role of Islamic women in society.
John Orr creative arts teacher and team coach Losh Reddy said the competition was a great opportunity, especially for one of her learners who comes from a disadvantaged background.
“She is very intelligent and I know she’s trying very hard to get ahead in her life. I know her circumstances are not that good,” she said.
“If this comes right for us, I’m going to be so happy for her sake. For the whole team, but especially for her.”
Lotus School of Excellence principal Banks Naidoo said he was proud of his pupils, especially as it was their first time taking part in the competition.
“I’m impressed and this will force them to read and be more in touch with current affairs and things that can affect their lives,” he said.
Roshnee Islamic School principal and English teacher Abdullah Sujee said he was surprised by his learners’ performance because the team that participated last year failed to reach the regionals.
“They are meeting different people and they have come to understand that there are more people in South Africa than they can imagine who are talented, vibrant, exuberant and intelligent,” he said.
“I think it’s a learning curve for them to engage with the entire experience of being a born-free South African.”
After the regional competition, the qualifying teams will move on to the national competition, which takes place on September 27.