The Otjozondjupa Region on Saturday announced the names of learners to represent the region at the national schools’ debate competition set to take place at Swakopmund in the Erongo Region in June this year.

The names were announced shortly after the conclusion of a two-day regional annual schools debate competition held at a local lodge in Otjiwarongo.

Coordinator of the event, Loide Nghiishililewa in an interview with Nampa on Saturday said out of the 24 learners who participated, seven have proven themselves throughout the competition to be critical thinkers, analytical and articulate in the English language.

Nghiishililewa said the learners to form the Otjozondjupa Regional schools debating team are Kevin Nakale, January Namila, Allen Imanga, Grace Haufiku, Faith Magwaza, Diannay Doeses, and Janine Amutenja.

Nakale and Haufiku are from the Okahandja education circuit, Imanga is from Grootfontein while Namila, Doeses, Magwaza and Amutenja are from the Otjiwarongo circuit.

Meanwhile, the Okahandja schools debating team was crowned the overall winner of the competition this year, followed by Otjiwarongo and Grootfontien in second and third place respectively.

All 24 participants were each awarded with medals and certificates of appreciation after they completed the two-day debate competition for 2022, Nghiishililewa said, adding that the winning team from Okahandja received both medals, certificates and a floating trophy.

Otjozondjupa Regional Chief Education Officer, Markus Munenge and the Okahandja Circuit Education Inspector, Chris Tjivikua also attended the event and handed over the medals, certificates and floating trophy to the learners.

Otjozondjupa Governor, James Uerikua is the patron, who sponsored the just-ended regional schools debating competition.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency