Stellenbosch Museum marked International Museum Day with a speech contest for scholars on Thursday 26 May.
Grade 10 and 11 learners from Khayamandi, Kylemore and Lückhoff high schools competed in the competition, which saw them step up to deliver speeches. Contestants could choose from five topics that revolve around museums.
“The speech contest is an annual event hosted by the museums affiliated by the Department of Art, Cultural Affairs & Sport, in celebration of International Museum Day. The three winners at the event will represent Stellenbosch at the Regional Speech Contest to be held in September,” explained Debbie Gabriels, manager of Stellenbosch Museum.
The adjudicators at the event were Ricky Brecht, education and public programmes officer at the US Museum, Carol Lakay, chief project office manager at e’Bosch Heritage Project and Asipwe Cosa, e’Bosch representative from Khayamandi.
Gabriels applauded participants for having “special courage” to speak in front of an audience. “Regardless of whether it is peers or an audience of strangers, the fact that the learners participate makes each one a winner regardless of whether three winners are announced during the event,” she said, adding that the contestants were exceptionally talented speakers.
The overall winner was Milissa Vaphi from Khayamandi High, first runner-up was Inam Vimba also from Khayamandi High and second runner-up was Uhlin September from Lückhoff High.
The three finalists will go on to participate in the annual Gala Speech Contest, where they will compete in the Cape Winelands Speech Contest in September.
The Stellenbosch Museum thanked the schools and learners who participated in the event.
“A special word of thanks to Fiona van Kerwel of WOW, who sponsored a bag with educational reading material to all the participants. Many thanks and appreciation also to Carel van der Merwe, chairperson of the Stellenbosch Heritage Trust and well-known author, who made a cash donation of R1 000 in respect of a repayment of the school fees of the three participants whose speeches were designated as the best.”
