Soneike High School has been named junior debate champion at Tore’s Foundation’s annual debate tournament, held at the University of Stellenbosch Business School recently.

The tournament began with 16 junior teams competing over three rounds, with Steenberg High School and Soneike High School emerging as the two finalists.

In celebration of Heritage Day and under a culture and heritage theme, the finalists debated the motion: “This House believes that social media is weakening young people’s connection to South African cultural traditions.”

Soneike High School was crowned junior champion after a closely contested final featuring eight arguments.

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Critical thinking

Tore’s Foundation, a United Kingdom non-profit organisation (NPO), aims to engage young people and develop their critical thinking and confidence through debate. The programme started with two schools in the Cape Flats in 2017 and now runs weekly after-school sessions in 39 schools, reaching around 700 learners across the Western Cape.

Learners are taught debating skills and required to research and articulate arguments on topical issues and current affairs, encouraging them to participate in democracy and its institutions.

The University of Stellenbosch Business School is the foundation’s social impact partner.

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