By Tendai Keith Guvamombe
HARARE – The intellectual arena is set ablaze as the 2025 CBZ National Schools Debate Tournament officially launched today at Dominican Convent High School, promising a fierce battle of wits and a powerful platform for youth empowerment.
The tournament, a collaborative effort between Dominican Convent and CBZ Bank, is set to foster critical thinking, articulate communication, and future leadership among Zimbabwean youth.
Sister Kudzai, Head of Dominican Convent High School, addressed journalists with immense pride, highlighting the tournament’s evolution from a vital partnership. She recalled CBZ Bank’s pivotal sponsorship that enabled Dominican Convent’s triumphant participation in the 2022 World Moot Court Championships in Romania, a victory that resonated not just for the school but for the entire nation.
This success laid the foundation for the inaugural CBZ Debate Tournament in 2023. After a strategic pause in 2024 for refinement, the tournament returns bigger and more impactful.
This year’s edition boasts significant strides in educational equity. A fully funded pre-tournament workshop, targeting schools nationwide without prior exposure to the World Schools Debating Championships model, saw ten schools from nine provinces benefiting. These schools will join a total of 24 institutions, each fielding both Junior and Senior teams, a dual-level format designed to nurture long-term speaker development.
Matilda Nyathi, Group Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer at CBZ Holdings, underscored the bank’s deep commitment to education.
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,” she quoted Nelson Mandela, emphasizing CBZ’s USD 30,000 investment as a strategic commitment to shaping the nation’s future. She lauded the 26 participating schools (as per the bank’s notes), acknowledging their proven academic excellence and courage to articulate visions for a better tomorrow.
The tournament, employing the World Schools Debating Championships format, will feature three speakers and a reply speech. Four preliminary rounds will lead to quarter-finals, with semi-finals and finals slated for Saturday. Motions will delve into pertinent socio-economic issues.
Exciting prizes await the winners, with the first-place teams in each category receiving $1000, second place $750, and third place $500. A Best Speaker award of $250 and a Runner-up Best Speaker award of $150 will also be presented.
Notable past winners include St. George’s College (Senior, 2023) and Dominican Convent Harare (Junior, 2023).
This year’s competition promises an even more diverse and competitive field, with schools like John Tallach, Christian Brothers College, Petra High, and Gwanda High joining the fray.
The CBZ National Schools Debate Tournament is more than just a competition; it’s a celebration of young voices, bold ideas, and a shared vision for a better Zimbabwe. As the intellectual fireworks begin tomorrow, the nation watches with anticipation to witness the brilliance of its future leaders.
