Lupane State University student scoops public speaking award

A LUPANE State University (LSU) student, Tinashe Manhope, on Friday scooped an individual speech trophy while a Kushinga/ Phikelela Polytechnic and Marymount Teachers College hybrid team walked away with the relay speech championship in the Zimbabwe Public Speaking Two Level Competition.

The tertiary institutions public speaking challenge held in Bulawayo was facilitated by Contemporary Affairs Foundation (CAF) in partnership with Junior Chamber International (JCI) under the theme "Stand up, Speak up, Own Up."

In an interview on Sunday, the Zimbabwe Public Speaking Challenge Tab Master, Mr Pofele Ndzodzi said 15 institutions across the country participated in the competition.

"It was our first time to initiate a public speaking competition without debate. It was a two level competition with 15 tertiary institutions competing for the individual speech and relay speech championship awards," said Mr Ndzodzi.

He said participants received training sessions on public speaking prior to the final competitions and in the relay speech, each institution brought a minimum of three speakers to form relay teams.

"Our winner for the individual speech champion for the final theme "Ideas are our greatest weapons" was Tinashe Manhope a student from LSU. He walked away with a championship trophy, gold medal and a certificate.

"The second level relay speech competition was scooped by a hybrid team which comprised of two students from Kushinga Phikelela Polytechnic and one from Marymount Teachers College who also walked away with a trophy, gold medals and certificates," said Mr Ndzodzi.

"The other award in the competition included the individual's speech audience's choice which was scooped by a Midlands State University student, Samson Majachani."

Mr Ndzodzi said the public speaking competition was aimed at bringing together tertiary level speakers in a three-day tournament of cultural exchange.