Saints Speakers Shine on the National Stage

Months of auditions, preparation, practice and perseverance culminated this September when eight students from the Boys' and Girls' College travelled to Cape Town to represent the College at the 2026 National Individual Debating and Public Speaking Championship (NIDPSC).

The NIDPSC is a demanding individual championship in which competitors are challenged across four disciplines: Debating, Impromptu Speaking, Interpretive Reading and Prepared Speaking, with the latter comprising either Persuasive or After-Dinner Speaking. The breadth of the competition requires participants to demonstrate not only accomplished public-speaking skills, but also versatility, quick thinking, careful interpretation and the ability to construct and communicate ideas under considerable pressure.

For the Saints contingent, the journey began long before the tournament itself. A rigorous audition and selection process commenced in March, followed by several months of preparation. In June, the final eight-member Saints team was selected, comprising four students from Boys’ College and four from Girls’ College. Boys’ College was represented by Mahlatse Kekana, Ethan Smith, Callon May and Warona Maluleka, while Girls’ College was represented by Yolo Mandlana, Leatile Mekwa, Shreya Kuseeal and Paramita Ramtahar.

The team, accompanied by two Boys’ College teachers, departed for Cape Town on Friday, 25 September, eager to put months of intensive preparation into practice. The 2026 championship was hosted by Bishops Diocesan College, with the programme extending over several demanding days of competition.

Each member of the Saints team competed across all four disciplines, completing two rounds of Debating, two rounds of Impromptu Speaking, two rounds of Interpretive Reading and two rounds of Prepared Speaking. With 81 competitors from across the country, the championship offered an exciting opportunity for our students to test themselves alongside some of South Africa’s most accomplished young speakers.

The Saints team enjoyed remarkable success, securing representation in the Final Rounds across every discipline of the championship. Mahlatse Kekana and Shreya Kuseeal qualified for the Debating finals, placing sixth and seventh respectively in the category rankings. Mahlatse also progressed to the Interpretive Reading final, while Ethan Smith and Mahlatse both reached the After-Dinner Speaking final, finishing joint seventh in the category. In Impromptu Speaking, Callon May achieved an outstanding third place, with Shreya finishing seventh, and both qualified for the final.

The results across the broader field further reflected the depth and versatility of the Saints team. Ethan placed 12th in Debating, Callon 10th in After-Dinner Speaking, and Leatile Mekwa and Shreya were both ranked 20th in Persuasive Speaking. Strong performances were also recorded by Warona Maluleka and Yolo Mandlana across their respective disciplines.

The overall championship rankings provided another indication of the team’s impressive performance. Shreya Kuseeal finished 11th overall, with Mahlatse Kekana close behind in 13th place. Callon May placed 22nd, Ethan Smith 29th, Leatile Mekwa 36th, Warona Maluleka 46th and Yolo Mandlana 47th. Against a field of 81 national competitors, these results speak to both the individual talent within the team and the strength of Saints public speaking across a range of disciplines.

The championship brought further exceptional success for Mahlatse Kekana and Shreya Kuseeal, both of whom were selected for the South African team that will compete at the 2027 World Individual Debating and Public Speaking Championships in Shanghai in April next year. For two members of the eight-person Saints contingent to earn the opportunity to represent South Africa on the world stage is an extraordinary achievement and a fitting culmination of months of dedication, preparation and competition.

While the finalists, rankings and World Championship selections are certainly worthy of special celebration, the success of this campaign extends far beyond final standings. Selection to compete at a national championship of this calibre is itself the culmination of months of work, courage, intellectual engagement and a willingness to be challenged. Mahlatse, Ethan, Callon, Warona, Yolo, Leatile, Shreya and Paramita represented Saints with tremendous commitment throughout this journey, and we are enormously proud of all that they have accomplished.

Congratulations to #OneAndAll on an outstanding NIDPSC campaign. To have Saints speakers progress to the Final Rounds in every discipline, achieve impressive category and overall rankings, and have two members selected to represent South Africa is a tremendous collective achievement. We are immensely proud of all eight members of the team and look forward to cheering Mahlatse and Shreya on as they take their places on the world stage in Shanghai in April 2027.