Free thinking and Public speaking Zambian style

Kabalika Hall played host to the 2020 Annual Public Speaking contest on 20th November. Two young people from each of 13 secondary schools in Mufulira took part.

Subjects were:-

- Is man architect of his own destiny?

- The role of religion in modern days

- Climate change causes, effects, and possible solutions

- Juvenile delinquency in Zambia: causes, effects and solutions

Kitted out in immaculate school uniforms, boys and girls spoke for five minutes on their chosen subjects, taking one question from a packed but socially distanced audience in the hall.

Contestants argued over the causes of climate change, whether airborne pollution emitting greenhouse gases or charcoal burning were the cause, and discussed prospects of renewable energy. Those who talked about delinquency touched on the community effects of unwanted pregnancies and substance abuse. Others took on the subject of man as architect of his own destiny taking the word 'architect' literally to explain how no builder of a building or a life would start without a plan; while one young person who chose to talk about organised religion argued rather surprisingly in its favour over tribal beliefs.

What we saw on display was lively discussion giving context and confidence for groups of young people to test their ability to communicate ideas in public before an audience of both adults and their peers.

I was lucky enough to watch most of it via Facetime.

Anthony Lipmann