Eurasian Schools Debating Championships 2016:
The South African team at the annual ESDC, Eurasian Schools Debating Championship held in Istanbul, in 2016 continued the legacy of SA Debating at the tournament through another strong performance by a fresh SA team. The team performed beyond all expectations and blasted through the tournament with resounding, and even unassailable, wins over many of their opponents at the tournament. All South African speakers filled the top 5 spots in the tournament.
This continuation of dominance, further entrenched the international pedigree of South African Debating on the European and Asian stage.
The overall results of the SA team at ESDC 2016 were as follows:
- Winners of Tournament with resounding Dominance
- Grant Fourie ranked 5th in Europe and Asia
- Katya Broomberg ranked 4th in Europe and Asia
- William Shoki ranked 3rd in Europe and Asia
- Rebecca Mqamelo ranked 2nd in Europe and Asia
- Steven Lochner ranked 1st in Europe and Asia
Eurasian Schools Debating Championships 2015:
The South African team at the ESDC tournament in 2015 proved their dominance on the World circuit, winning the tournament and having each speaker rank in the top 5 of the tournament.
The team battled every opponent with flair and had the edge over all teams in the competition through a very strong South African team.
The overall results of the SA team at ESDC 2015 were as follows:
- Team won the Tournament
- Illan Malkin ranked 5th
- Amelia Warren ranked 4th in Europe and Asia
- Desmond Fairall ranked 2nd in Europe and Asia
- Kate Dewey ranked 1st in Europe and Asia
Eurasian Schools Debating Championships 2014:
The South African team at the ESDC tournament in 2014 experienced this unique tournament and performed well, with each participating SA speaker ranking in the top 10 of the tournament.
The team performed very well in the preliminary rounds against tough competition. Unfortunately, their tournament ended in the semi-final against a strong Singapore team.
The overall results of the SA team at ESDC 2014 were as follows:
- Team Broke 5th
- Semi-finalists of Tournament
- Emma Buckland ranked 10th
- Amelia Warren ranked 9th
- Kate Dewey ranked 4th
Eurasian Schools Debating Championships 2011
January 2011 marked a major milestone in international schools debating – the first ever Eurasian Schools Debating Championship was held in Istanbul, Turkey. What made this tournament so remarkable was that it was the first international tournament to be completely organised by scholars, aged 13 – 18. Having such an important tournament in one of the cultural epicentres of the world was very fitting as students came from all around the globe, including the five Capetonian debaters and two Capetonian adjudicators who represented South Africa at the tournament.
Our South African debaters met the likes of the U.S.A., Singapore, Serbia and many others in some interesting and intense debates. Having this massive international stage gave us an opportunity to reaffirm South Africa’s place on the debating map, after the SA team’s already infamous Heart of Europe performance. We grabbed this opportunity with both hands and held on for as long as we could. Remaining undefeated for longer than any other team, we were able to make it to the Semi-Finals until the bane of SA debating, Greece, knocked us out in one of the more confusing debates of the tournament. Our team’s efforts did not, however, go unrecognised, with all members ranking in the top 15 individually. Rob Grant placed 14th, Ihsaan Bassier, 13th, Cara Mazetti took 9th, Colin Besaans, 8th and the top spot went to our very own Angeliki Carvounes, who ranked 1st.
Our Coaches, Alex De Jager and Tom McLennan, were called upon to adjudicate and both did an awesome job. Both broke and Tom went on to adjudicate the Finals. Alex requested to be able to watch the team instead of adjudicating, after unexpectedly having to cover for a shortage. They both did South Africa proud, having very consistent and well substantiated decisions.
This tournament was a great step forward for South African debating and an absolutely unforgettable experience for our entire delegation. Scholar-organised tournaments may very well be the way of the future.
Report by Colin Besaans
Eurasian Schools Debating Championships 2014:
The South African team at the ESDC tournament in 2014 experienced this unique tournament and performed well, with each participating SA speaker ranking in the top 10 of the tournament.
The team performed very well in the preliminary rounds against tough competition. Unfortunately, their tournament ended in the semi-final against a strong Singapore team.
The overall results of the SA team at ESDC 2014 were as follows:
- Team Broke 5th
- Semi-finalists of Tournament
- Emma Buckland ranked 10th
- Amelia Warren ranked 9th
- Kate Dewey ranked 4th