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02 May 2019 | Story Xolisa Mnukwa
UFS Debate Society
The UFS Debate Society led by example at the 2019 Jozi Rumble.
After competing in the Jozi Rumble final for six consecutive years, the UFS Debate Society won the competition – Africa’s largest intercollegiate debate open – for the second consecutive year. The tournament took place at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in April 2019.

After seven preliminary rounds, three UFS teams out of a total of 100 competing teams overall were placed in the top 16, earning them a place in the quarterfinals – where they faced each other. A composite team of UFS LLB graduate and LLM student, Lehakoe Masedi, and a partner from Wits beat all teams, qualified for the final themed ‘This house regrets the glorification of opulence in popular culture’, and won the league.

“It was one of the most validating moments of my entire debating career; everybody wants to win the Jozi Rumble, and to have done it and to be the best speaker is truly amazing,” said Lehakoe. The top-ranking speaker at the tournament added that she had been working hard, and that she is glad that her efforts are coming full circle.

The UFS sent six teams overall to the tournament, including two novice teams competing in their first-ever intercollegiate debate tournament. 

“Speaking at the Jozi Rumble debate tournament for the first time was truly an educational experience; it exposed me to the dynamics of varsity-level debating,” said Simphiwe Yana, debater in of the UFS novice teams.

The UFS speaking squad consisted of Lehakoe Masedi, 2018 Abe Bailey Bursary victor and Rhodes scholarship recipient Nkahiseng Ralepeli, Khotso Khokho, Siyanda Rixana, Morena Moabi, Simphiwe Yana, Luvuyo Shoco, Asemahle Noholoza, and Nontobeko Msimangu. Former Chairperson of the UFS Debate Society and Editor-in-Chief of the IRAWA newspaper, Tshiamo Malatji, was also present at the tournament as the Tabulation Director. 

On 11 May 2019, the UFS will travel to the University of Pretoria to defend yet another debate open title at the Pretoria Parlay Intervarsity. 


News Archive

Perseverance is key for 2017 Abe Bailey recipient
2017-08-23

 Description: Gosego Moroka Tags: Abe Bailey Travel Bursary, Gosego Moroka, 2017 Abe Bailey, Goodenough College 

Gosego Moroka, recipient of the 2017 Abe Bailey Travel Bursary,
says his never-say-die attitude is what helped him win the bursary
the second time round.
Photo: Rulanzen Martin


A valuable life lesson can be learned from Gosego Moroka. The fourth-year LLB student was in the top three for the 2016 Abe Bailey Travel Bursary which was awarded to Candice Thickeson. And now in 2017 Moroka is the recipient.

“It means the world to me as it shows that perseverance is the key. I took last year’s loss as a lesson which I would use to improve as a candidate this year and I’m ecstatic that it came full circle.”

Bursary aims to broaden views
The educational tour will start on 21 November 2017. “We will be travelling to the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and then to London, Oxford and Cambridge universities in England, as well as Edinburgh University in Scotland,” Moroka says. The tour group will be hosted by Goodenough College in England. The bursary aims to broaden the views of young South Africans by providing outstanding students the opportunity to engage with students from other universities. 

Comprehensive application process
The application process starts with a motivation letter by the applicants stating the reason for applying. They must then submit letters detailing their leadership roles in the community, school, and at university. This is followed by an interview process. “The university will recommend three persons as possible bursars,” Moroka says. The Abe Bailey Trust will then, with the recommendation of the university, make its own decision in selecting the successful candidate. 

Great achievement adds to repertoire 
“This achievement was extremely important to me as it is testament that greatness is something one works towards.” Moroka is a former 100m South African champion and is part of the Golden Key International Honour Society. And now he is an Abe Bailey Bursar.  

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