Zambia Emerges Winner in Writers Space Africa’s Maiden African Educational Debate Match                  

“the foundation is impressed with the outcome of these educationally stimulating debates and hopes to build on the success of this maiden edition”—Anthony Onugba.

Zambia’s debating duo of Kachusha Nkosha and Shadreck Thewo has defeated South Sudan’s pair of Moses Makwei and Gal Manoah James to emerge overall winner in the virtual African Educational Debate match organized by Writers Space Africa Foundation. While speaking on the topic, “the adoption of foreign languages as official national languages in African countries is undermining the growth and survival of indigenous languages,” Zambia amassed 85.5 points against South Sudan’s 81.1 in thrilling debating rounds held over Google Meet to clinch the $100 first prize.

Speaking on the topic, “Artificial Intelligence is clear and present danger to education,” which was sourced from UK’s The Times of May 20, Zambia beat Cameroon 70.3 to 69.5, while South Sudan brushed aside Ghana 88.3 to 72.7 to reach the closing rounds of the keenly contested challenge. South Sudan emerged second place winner with a prize of $60, while Ghana went home with $40 for the third prize.

The debaters were judged based on clarity of ideas, confidence, time discipline, and topic comprehension. They were also evaluated based on originality of views, number of points made, depth of research and statistics, and emotional composure. Eloquence and profanity were also assessed in all debaters.

The judging panel was a volunteer group comprising Nigeria’s Steve Ogah and Glory Florentine from Tanzania, Autricia Timti from Cameroon, and Mimi Machakaire from Zimbabwe. Other assessors were Lise Nova Berwadushime from Rwanda, Hassan Kassim from Kenya, and Elizabeth Dwamena-Asare from Ghana.

Writers Space Africa Foundation has planned other educational events for African Writers. “Moving forward, the foundation is impressed with the outcome of these educationally stimulating debates and hopes to build on the success of this maiden edition,” Anthony Onugba, founder of WSA, said. “We hope to secure funding so we may expand the format for the debate and broadcast the event to a larger audience,” he stated.

There is more about Writers Space Africa at www.writerspace.net.