Paving the way for safer road usage, the Department of Community Safety and Transport Management engaged learners across the North West Province in road safety debate competitions from August 16th to 18th.
The aim was to scrutinize the current status and develop strategies to reduce the high rate of road crashes and fatalities.
Throughout this three-day debate competition, learners actively engaged with topics related to road safety, intending to increase awareness among learners and participants. This platform allowed learners to highlight the economic impact of road crashes on the province's well-being.
Learners from three districts (Ngaka Modiri Molema, Dr Kenneth Kaunda and Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati) emphasised human behaviour as the most damaging factor contributing to speeding, and drunk driving, which are the primary causes of most crashes and fatalities.
Participants gained exposure to different perspectives through these debates and developed critical thinking skills. This facilitated the spread of knowledge and understanding of road safety measures and their impact on reducing accidents and fatalities by ensuring the availability of proper signs.
The Road Safety Director, Motshabi Tshukudu, applauded the learners for their active participation and highlighted the purpose of these debate competitions.
"The road safety debate competitions play a significant role in creating a positive social narrative that encourages responsible road user behaviour. It's truly encouraging to see young people actively engaging in such discussions. From our observations, this year has set a higher standard, and we eagerly anticipate the clash of ideas at the provincial debate, where the winners will represent the province in national competitions," said Tshukudu.
On the first day of the competition, five schools from Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality braved dusty weather conditions in Ottosdal to compete for the top position in the district. Setilo Secondary School emerged as the district champions, defeating Sol Plaatjie High School, the host Leretletse-Lesedi Secondary School, Tau Rapulane Secondary School and Mmajane Secondary.
On the second day of the competition, Phiri High School from Ventersdorp achieved the highest margin against Potchefstroom Secondary, which secured second place, and Matlosana Secondary, which came in third place in Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality.
Supporting the motion that a high volume of car crashes has an adverse socio-economic impact in South Africa, Phiri High presented an argument that convinced the adjudicators they had a winning formula.
"Families lose breadwinners, children become orphans, and many are left to fend for themselves, often turning to drug and substance abuse. The country loses professionals, and the workforce becomes disrupted. Consequently, tax revenue collection is affected, coupled with the rising costs of repairing road infrastructure," argued Phiri High.
The adjudicators believed that the school had thoroughly researched the topic, understood their motion and presented relevant arguments to justify their case. As a result, they were crowned district champions and advanced to the next stage to represent Dr Kenneth Kaunda District in the Provincial Road Safety Schools Debate Competition next month.
On Friday, in the final round of the district safety school debate in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District, Kismet Secondary School from Vryburg achieved the highest margin against Tong Comprehensive Secondary, which secured second place, and Mokgareng Secondary, which came in third place.
Simon Thomas, the Road Safety Management District Deputy Director, praised the learners and adjudicators and noted that it was remarkable to see female participants from three different schools during Women's Month.
"The pupils have created a positive social narrative encouraging responsible road user behaviour. Seeing young people actively participating at a young age with a solid understanding of their arguments is truly encouraging. This gives us confidence that we have future engineers and road safety ambassadors," he said.
