Makupula High School was the big winner at this year’s Working on Fire Kishugu Joint Venture environmental debates.
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment’s Working on Fire Programme in the Western Cape, in partnership with provincial Disaster Risk Management and CapeNature, held the annual environmental educational debate in Cape Town on Friday 16 August.
Rayganah Rhoda, community fire awareness officer at Working on Fire, said the purpose of the debates is to create awareness among Grade 8 and 9 learners to debate and understand environmental issues that harm their social livelihood and natural environment.
Learners from eight schools across the Cape debated on climate change, how it affects humans, and how people can limit the wrath of this environmental threat. The schools were Makupula High, Kylemore Secondary, Khayamandi Secondary, Zisukhanyo Secondary, Sophumelela Secondary, Leiden High, Ihlumelo Secondary and Modderdam Secondary.
The debaters argued about topics of reforestation, global warming and renewable energy. The adjudicators were looking for the best researched, best presented and most relatable content.
Mava Vatsha (15) from Makupula High in Khayamandi said winning the competition was a just reward for the hard work they had put into the preparation for the event.
“We used the library to conduct our research and from the word go we set our differences aside and prioritised team work, which I think was advantageous for us. We are very happy that we won and made our school proud,” he said.
They argued that climate change and human negligence are to blame for frequent deadly wildfires, Vatsha added.
Teacher Ziyanda Gama was over the moon when her learners were declared winners, walking away with the overall winners’ title and the title of the best researched presentation. “I was on cloud nine that out of all the schools, they did very well. For them to win and bring home two trophies was an amazing reward, because I know how hard they had to work preparing,” she related.
Gama added that the entire school body is very proud of the debaters, stating they were received with a standing ovation and celebrations.
She further stated that it was a huge deal that they had won because they are in the region that is sometimes overlooked, so they have proven that there is potential in the Cape Winelands.
Speaking of the team’s preparations, Gama said her role was to guide and mentor the group. “They sacrificed a lot, because they would meet during break time and after school. They were very determined and enthusiastic in their preparations. They really deserve the recognition,” she pointed out.
Their neighbouring school Khayamandi Secondary walked away with the best researched topic and were also the runners-up. Grade 10 teacher Pontsho Lento said her learners were delighted with the results after many years of trying to reach the top. “They are very excited and hope there is another leg, as they are still enthusiastic to continue. As their teacher, I am very proud of their performance,” she said.
She further mentioned that their preparations had been delayed, but she believes if they had started on time they would have clinched the first prize.
