WORKING ON FIRE HOSTS DEBATE COMPETITION
Working on Fire (WOF) hosted the annual school debate at Mdayisi Kunene
Multi-Purpose Centre in Mphophomeni, Howick.
Grade 8 and 9 pupils from Mconjwana, uMthombo, Mpophomeni, and Asibemunye High Schools participated in the competition.
Fire awareness training officer, Bongumusa Nyathi said: “The primary objective of the debate is to create an opportunity for learners to learn more about the environmental and fire-related issues that have a negative impact on the social livelihood and natural environment.”
The four school’s points of discussion were the causes of climate change, the cost of wildfires to the economy and environment and how that can be mitigated through integrated fire management principles.
It also covered the mission and vision of the core focus areas of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environments and other stakeholders.
Best speaker was Asibone Ndlovu, a Grade 8 learner from Mconjwana High School. She said: “The debate was a lot of fun, considering that it’s my first. I learnt a lot of new things and techniques on how to cross-question, strategise and how to do my research properly, thank you to Working on Fire for the opportunity it was very educational.”
Mconjwana High School won the debate. In second place was Asibemunye and in third Mpophomeni High School.
Teachers were appreciative of the exposure the learners received from the competition, as it built their confidence, sharpened their research skills and they also learned more about climate change in the process.
“We received great feedback from the educators, and they request to be invited to events similar to the debate. As WOF we were very impressed by the research the learners did, and how they presented themselves” said Nyathi.
Howick West Primary school pupil, Thando Kunene, represented the Umgungundlovu District at the Provincial Spelling Bee competition in Durban on Thursday, September 8, finishing in third spot.
Congratulations to Thando on this outstanding achievement, which is just reward for her dedication and devotion. Appreciation
is also extended to the principal, staff and pupils of the school for the goals they have set and the objectives that they have accomplished.
Pictured with Thando are (from left) Mrs K Naidoo (HOD), Mrs F Syed (Spelling Bee Convenor) and Mrs N Bhagwandin (Deputy Principal).