Are you silver-tongued? Do you have the gift of the gab?
If so, the brand-new Nou praat jy! public speaking competition is meant just for you! Curro Durbanville High School proudly invites high schools across the country to enter their most seasoned team for this prestigious competition-with-a-twist: two learners must team up and present the speech in unison. The theme is Afrikaans – ‘n taal van kleure en klank, and it’s quite fitting, because Afrikaans has been an official language for 100 years this year.
The speech contest can be presented in a persuasive, entertaining or motivational manner and is open to Afrikaans Home Language Speakers and Afrikaans First Additional Language Speakers in a category for Juniors (Grade 8 and/or 9) and Seniors (Grade 10 to 12). Each team has 5 to 7 minutes to put their best foot forward, and the judges will be waiting with bated breath for a spontaneous interaction between speakers.
“We are looking forward to lekker conversational dialogue,” say Afrikaans teachers Joline de Klerk and Maritsa Smit. “Additionally, we keep our fingers crossed that teams bring regional languages and dialects of Afrikaans to the stage. We hope they come and talk like they talk at home!”
The best among the competitors can look forward to solid cash prizes: the winning schools and winners get R10 000 each, runners-up get R6 000 each and third place winners get R4 000 each.
The competition will take place on 25 and 26 June 2025 at Curro Durbanville High School. The closing date for entries is 24 April 2025. Entry forms are available online on the school’s website or send an email to Joline de Klerk at joline.d@curro.co.za for more details. Come on, get the ball rolling!
Nou praat jy! is part of Curro Durbanville High School’s new Kultura Festival which will take place from 20 to 27 June on the school’s campus. Apart from productions by beloved artists such as Sandra Prinsloo, Marion Holm, Francois van Coke, Barry Hilton and Early B, high school bands will also get a chance to jam. And, as all these events unfold in Durbanville, a Wine Festival will be held to showcase the local wine farms’ finest creations, offering the community a chance to come together and enjoy this cultural celebration. For tickets, visit Quicket.co.za
