The regional speech contest of the Overberg museums was held on Friday 23 August at the Caledon Casino Hotel & Spa.
Altogether 15 Grade 10 and 11 learners, representing the five Overberg region museums, took part in the competition, with three learners representing each museum. The museums represented were: Caledon Museum, Genadendal Mission Museum, Drostdy Museum, Shipwreck Museum and the Old Harbor Museum. Participants had a choice of five museum-related topics for their speeches.
This competition provided a platform for young voices to be heard and emphasised the importance of youth engagement in cultural and educational initiatives.
All the speeches were of exceptionally high standard, which made the adjudicators task a difficult one.
The winner Ziyanda Gazi of Gansbaai Academia, representing the Old Harbor Museum, delivered a captivating speech which impressed both the audience as well as the judges. Ziyanda chose topic 2, which was: “People do not realise the importance of preserving our heritage. Discuss the reasons for above and explain how museums could contribute to make our communities aware and preserve our heritage.”
Second place was awarded to Qaali Osman of Swellendam Secondary School, representing the Drostdy Museum, with Emily Meets of Overberg High School, representing the Caledon Museum, in third place. Both Qaali and Emily chose topic 5, which was: “Our museums are facing many challenges in current times. Discuss and list all these challenges in detail and include creative solutions to all your listings.”
Odette Weir, Regional Manager Overberg Museums, said: “This year the regional speech competition of the Overberg once again showed that there has been constant growth in both the contestants and the events.
“We had massive amounts of sponsorships that proves to us that there are partners and stakeholders who are willing to invest in museums, especially the Overberg museums.
“Well done to our three winners, who are going through to the provincial speech competition. I know you will make us proud.”
The adjudicators were: Gerhard van Wyk (Caledon Library), Belinda May (Hawston Library), Robert Edson (Vice- chairperson Genadendal Mission Museum Board of Trustees), Diane Odendal (Friends of the Shipwreck Museum Association) and Alice Mfundisi (Friends of the Drostdy Museum Association).
The provincial speech contest will take place at the Worcester Museum on 18 October.
