EENHANA – The Polytechnic of Namibia has been declared the overall winner of the Africa Day debate between students of the Poly and University of Nmibia (Unam) on Africa Day.
The debate was organised by the Pan-African Centre of Namibia (PACON) as part of the African Union’s Golden Jubilee celebrations. The two teams of four each challenged each other under the theme, “The United States of Africa – How well are African leaders working on this idea?” debating for almost an hour. The powerful group of the Polytechnic of Namibia was to debate against the idea of the United States of Africa and clearly their defence went well as they ended up winning the African Union Golden Jubilee celebrations debate. “Do not be misled by this rhetoric idea of the United States of Africa (USA), it was Muammar Gaddafi who mooted the idea. It is only otherwise President Robert Mugabe who can stand for that same idea. He is the last man standing. Where is the idea after Muammar Gaddafi’s death,” Ivan Limbo said. His fellow Samuel Nangula brought his own valid reasons and points with a comedic spin opposing the idea of the United States of Africa to the debate, but Keith Vries from Unam stood out as he seemingly slaughtered his opponents, winning the “Best Male Speaker” award.
“Mr President, you are also here today but from an African perspective, we need our own United States of Africa because we are tired of this European dependency syndrome. For how long shall African depend on the colonialists? Look at what is happening in Nigeria with the Boko Haram, do you need the United States of America to come and give you advice on that? A big no, it’s high time we establish our own United States of Africa,” Gordon Joseph from Unam argued.
The debate attracted members of the diplomatic community, senior government officials and learners from various regions. The President, Hifikepunye Pohamba was seemingly impressed. He presented the winning team from the Polytechnic of Namibia, Ivan Limbo and Samuel Nangula with the prize money of N $ 3,000, a floating trophy and gold medals. The second prize of N$ 2,000, a trophy and silver medals went to Taimi Ileka and Gordon Joseph from Unam. Daniel Abisai and Marx Haipandwa from Polytechnic of Namibia won the third category with N $ 1 000, a trophy and bronze medals with Eulalia Joseph and Riruako Uakatora from Unam in fourth position getting N $ 700.
The President also handed over prizes and participating certificates to the African Union Primary Schools Short Story and Poetry Competition finalists and winners. The overall winner was Brendan Simbwaye Primary school from Zambezi region while Flamingo Primary school from Erongo region came second and who won floating trophies and certificates respectively. The other winners for the short story writing were Laima Shaida from Flamingo Primary School who won N $ 3 000, Robert Mubita from Mavuluma Primary School in Zambezi region winning N $ 1 500 while Theresia Kasile from Kavango’s Andreas Kandjimi Primary School took home N $ 500.
President Pohamba encouraged students from various institutions of higher learning to join and establish their own debating clubs. “We encourage students to join their debate societies and use their God given talents and intelligence. The debate we have witnessed today is so motivating to us as African elders,” President Pohamba said.
The theme for this year’s Golden Jubilee celebrations is “Pan Africanism and African Renaissance”.
By Clemence Tashaya