By Nomkhitha Minya and Maretha Potgieter
Alex has been an energetic and dedicated member of the Debating Society since Grade 8, showcasing his commitment and passion for debating over the past five years.
Serving as the captain of the First Senior team since 2022, Alex has demonstrated exceptional leadership by recruiting numerous Grade 8 students and mentoring beginners, fostering a supportive and thriving debating community. Throughout his debating journey, Alex has participated in numerous tournaments, including the prestigious Rini Debate League. In 2022, he participated in the Round Square eSAI international debate, reflecting his versatility and skill. His achievements include being selected as part of the composite team (RDL) for four consecutive years at the provincial trials, placing him 10th in the province’s junior division in 2021, and earning a CEMA Merit award in Term 1 of 2022. In 2022, Alex was also placed 5th in the province’s senior division, further solidifying his reputation as an outstanding debater. He made the Eastern Cape team in 2023 and received his colours award in debating. Alex’s excellence in public speaking has been consistently recognised, with numerous accolades as the best speaker. He has played a pivotal role in organising friendly debates, adjudicating junior debates, and leading the Monday Clubs Debating. His versatility in speaker roles, excelling as a second speaker and receiving special mention as a 1st and 3rd speaker, highlights his all-rounder capabilities.
In 2023, Alex’s dedication and talent were rewarded when he was selected to the Eastern Cape debate team at the Provincial Championships and went on to compete at nationals. In 2024 his team were the overall winners in the senior division at the Eastern Cape Provincial Championship and after being awarded best speaker overall, Alex’s re-selection to the national debating championships underscores his potential to make the South African team, showcasing his growth and promise on a national level. Alex’s journey from the Rini region to the Eastern Cape and now South Africa exemplifies his outstanding contributions to the debating community. His exceptional leadership, mentorship, and debating prowess make him most deserving of an Honours Award in Debating.
