More than 250 learners from across South Africa strengthened their public speaking, research and critical-thinking skills through the fifth Youth4SaferSA National Debate Championship.
The Safer South Africa Foundation (SSAF) brought together 254 learners from 25 schools across all nine provinces, with the Free State emerging as the 2026 national champion.
North West finished second, while KwaZulu-Natal secured third place.
Participating Grade 8 to 11 learners came from township and rural communities across the country, including Polokwane, Kimberley, Cape Town, Soweto, East London, Klerksdorp, Welkom and the Ehlanzeni District in Mpumalanga.
The championship coincided with International Literacy Day and provided learners with an opportunity to develop skills extending beyond conventional reading and writing.
Teams had to research complex issues, construct arguments, respond to opposing views and communicate their ideas confidently before an audience.
Free State’s winning team comprised learners from Lekgarietse Secondary School and Mamello Secondary School.
Matlosana Secondary School and Alabama Secondary School represented second-placed North West, while Pinetown Boys High School, Wyebank Secondary School and Eric Mtshali Secondary School represented KwaZulu-Natal.
SSAF Free State Provincial Coordinator Pitso Mereko said the competition developed abilities learners could carry into their education and future careers.
“Team Free State showed complete discipline on stage. Their research was thorough and their arguments held up under intense questioning,” Mereko said.
“They built public speaking and critical thinking skills that will stay with them long after this tournament.”
Winning team captain Dibuseng Nkoala said the learners spent six weeks preparing for the national competition.
“Debating helped us build critical thinking skills, improve our academic performance and boost our confidence,” Nkoala said.
“Researching this year’s theme taught us how policy decisions work and gave us confidence to offer practical solutions.”
Marking 50 years since the 1976 Soweto Youth Uprising, the 2026 competition was held under the theme “50 Years On: Reimagining the Legacy of June 16 for the South African Learner of Tomorrow.”
Learners were challenged to imagine themselves as members of a National Youth Education Council and develop a practical vision for the future of South African schooling.
Their proposals explored how education could balance African history and local culture with the technical skills young people need to participate in an increasingly interconnected global economy.
SSAF CEO Riah Phiyega said reaching the fifth national championship represented an important milestone for the programme.
“Every team brought sharp arguments to the stage. When young people get a platform like this, they show they can drive real change regardless of where they start in life,” Phiyega said.
The championship was supported by partners from the education, financial services, health, professional services and nonprofit sectors, which contributed prizes to the competition.
Through Youth4SaferSA, the debate platform is giving learners an opportunity to develop their voices while building research, communication and critical-thinking skills that can support their academic development and future participation in society.
