The Free State Debating Board (FSDB) held an annual debating competition for speakers who would represent the province in the most prestige competition in South Africa. The tournament comprised of 16 teams and 8 schools from the Goldfields alone, not to mention those from other districts. Only the best in the Free State would be selected. The FSDB was looking for Debaters with great potential and debating skill. Two THS teams attended, the senior and junior teams respectively. Pule, being a member of the junior team was selected for the Free State team to represent the province at the national competition which would be held at the Stellenbosch University in Cape Town. As a provincial speaker he was required to undergo vigorous debating training. Their team won 3 out of 4 debates in the national competition against the best debaters from the strongest schools in the country. He also debated against world renowned debaters.
Another tournament succeeded the competition, a local annual tournament held at CUT Welkom called: “Gold Rush” which hosted debaters and speakers from all schools in Welkom, Virginia, Riebeeckstad and Odendaalsrus. This was an open tournament which meant seniors debated against juniors. Pule’s team made it to the semi-finals after three rounds, losing to the Gymnasium senior team which went on to win the league. The THS junior team did very well against the best teams in our district even though the odds were stacked against them.
Lefika Fm invited the THS junior team to debate against the fierce Henties Cillies senior debate team over the radio, the teams were given only 20 minitutes to prepare, Pule’s team beat Henties by a margin of 4-1. (The judges were the public).
Last Month Debate Afrika and Corruption watch, held a three stage provincial debate competition at the University of the Free State to discourage and fight corruption in South Africa. Two teams from THS were entered, the teams received trophies and medals for excellent achievements respectively. Pule was among those who received gold medals.
Pule is now in the THS First Debating Team. In the Goldfields league, Pule’s team has only lost one debate out of 3 and they are aiming to win their league just as their predecessors did last year.
Pule is a young, skilled, humble, motivated and committed debater who strives to achieve greatness. He has a great future ahead with two more years to go in the school and in high school debating.
(By Lesala Khetheng)