Eldorado and Martti Ahtisaari dominate spelling bee and debate
The Chevening Alumni Network of Namibia (CANN) in partnership with the Basketball Artists School held a Spelling Bee and Debate Competition this past weekend at the Katutura Youth Sports Complex.The competition was held for grade 4 to 7 learners. The gold medallist that dominated the grade 4 category was Laika Mbongo representing Eros Primary School. The grade 5 gold medallist and the overall winner was Simon Kambonde from Martti Ahtisaari Primary School. In the grade 6 category, Mbangoje Kahorongo from Theo Katjimune Primary School took the gold medal and in the grade 7 category, Hafeny Nastory of the Mandume Primary School took the gold medal.
In the overall round to determine the 2023 Chevening Alumni Spelling Bee Champion, Simon Kambonde showed grit through the competition and spelt every word correctly, taking home the spelling bee cup.
The debate competition highlighted the intellect and eloquence of the participants. After rigorous debate rounds, through which various debate motions were tabled, such as “Namibia will achieve gender equality by 2023”.
In the end, Concordia College Namibia Team 2 placed third. Followed by the Eldorado Secondary School Team 1, who placed second. Taking home the 2023 Chevening Alumni Debate Cup, was the Eldorado Secondary School Team 2 who dominated the debate competition.
Community
The opening ceremony of the Chevening Alumni Spelling Bee and Debate Competition was attended by Councillor Joseph Uapingene, who highlighted the importance of community members coming together to champion education. He commended the CANN team for ensuring that they took the opportunity granted to them through the Chevening Scholarship and ploughing back the knowledge gained back into the Namibian economy.
Also attending the opening was Faustina Namutenya Caley, the Deputy Minister of Education, Arts and Culture, who encouraged the 190 participating students and their parents to dream big and harness the potential that education holds for their future. She shared that she is immensely proud of the team of teachers who helped the students prepare for both the spelling and debate competition.
British High Commissioner to the Republic of Namibia, Charles Moore, attended the opening in support of the Alumni Network. He highlighted the importance of the English language and how it brings us together internationally. He encouraged the students in attendance to use the spelling bee as the base of building their futures, as they too one day can stand as recipients of the Chevening Scholarship.
At the opening ceremony, an electric performance by the Basketball Artists School left many inspired to join the school. The students showed their basketball talents, together with their vocal abilities.
The Chevening Alumni Spelling Bee and Debate Competition was organised by CANN in partnership with the Basketball Artists School. The aim of the competition aimed a platform to champion education and intellectual development among young people in Namibia.