The Northern Cape Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison’s MEC Mac Jack is proud to send off five brilliant minds that will represent the province in the National Road Safety Debates this week in Port Elizabeth.
Road Safety Debates form part of rolling out the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011 – 2020 Strategy by creating a platform for youths to discuss matters of road safety and also be educated on their role as the youth through the topics under discussion.
These debates are to empower the youth on road safety education and also to encourage them to take ownership of road safety as we don’t want to operate in silos.
Five learners representing the five districts of the Northern Cape will compete in the National Road Safety Debates on 25 and 26 September. The learners from both rural and urban schools competed in the provincial debates after they were selected to represent their regions as the best speakers.
Pixley Ka Seme District obtained first place during the provincial debates while Frances Baard District secured second place as the debates unfolded on Saturday, 6 September 2013 in Upington.
The competition was a collaboration between Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison and the Department of Education. The aim of the debates was to empower the learners to be road safety knowledgeable and become road safety conscious.
The debates will further aim to help sharpen their analytical thinking, encourage team work and research skills while building their public speaking confidence.
Although the learners are not yet of age to become license holders they have the power to meaningfully contribute towards road safety amongst our communities and one day become responsible drivers.
Background:
The best five orators to represent the Province at the National Road Safety Debate were selected earlier this month in Upington during the Provincial Road Safety Debates where 25 grade 10 and 11 learners competed.
These young brilliant minds where selected from across the province from various communities following league debates hosted in their various regions.
Debate topics:
- Will South Africa reduce fatalities by 50% by the year 2020 as per the Decade of Action in Road Safety?
- Is the use of social networks the solution to road safety awareness?
- Are young novice drivers the main cause of road crashes?
The department continuously works to intensify road safety education to ensure it reaches all areas of the province. Learners are no exception to the efforts of our department hence this broad search to engage some of the best speakers and minds in the province.
Introduction of the learners:
- Ms Chistelle Muller: Namaqua District, Concordia High School
- Mr Wongalethu Falata: Pixley Ka Seme District, De Aar High School
- Mr Phemelo Magau: John Taolo Gaetsewe, Baitiredi Commercial School
- Ms Victoria Baloyi: ZF Mgcawu District, Pabalello High School
- Tlotlo Lesetedi: Frances Baard District, Northern Cape High School
For any enquiries contact:
Mr Lebogang Majaha
Media Liaison Officer
Cell: 079 6479 635
Keitumetse Moticoe
Communication Officer
Cell: 074 251 6567 or 082 064 7003
