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Nokuthaba Brita Ncube, [email protected]

CHRISTIAN Brothers College (CBC) has won the Bulawayo 2025 public speaking competition.
The event, hosted last Friday at the Bulawayo Theatre by the Rotary Club of Bulawayo South, featured 12 schools and was held under the theme, “Grooming Learners to be Community Champions in Service above self-using the Education 5.0 Approach.”

A total of 44 high schools registered for the competition, with two preliminary heats held on 14 and 28 February, respectively. Only 12 schools advanced to the finals.
Jedidaya Kuuya from CBC claimed the top spot with his speech titled “My Last Dream,” beating Rejoice Mazivanhanga from Herentals College Silundika and Lwandise Tshuma from Montrose High School, who came in second and third place, respectively.

Kuuya walked away with the winner’s shield and a US$150 cash prize. The schools that participated in the finals included Petra College Senior, Christian Brothers College, Denmark Training Services, Bulawayo Adventist High, Herentals College Silundika, Townsend High, Montrose High, Mtshabezi High, David Livingstone, Riverdale Academy, Premier, and John Tallach.

Sibusisiwe Ngwenya, Immediate Past President (IPP) of the Rotary Club of Bulawayo South, highlighted that 11 of the 12 finalists were female, with only one male participant. Jacob Nyathi, the club’s director of youth services, described the 2025 annual high school public speaking competition as a resounding success.

“As we celebrate the achievements of our student speakers, let us also acknowledge the power of public speaking to inspire, educate, and bring about positive change,” said Nyathi. He expressed optimism about the lasting impact of the competition, noting that the skills and confidence gained by the students would empower them to make meaningful contributions to their communities and beyond.

Nyathi also revealed that the Rotary Club of Bulawayo South is already looking forward to hosting another successful competition in 2026.

All participants received consolation prizes, including a pair of school shoes courtesy of the Zimbabwe Leather Development Council in association with the Bulawayo Leather Cluster. The 12 finalists also received hampers containing a six-pack of soft drinks and a 12-pack of water. Additionally, all 44 participants and their patrons were awarded certificates of participation.

In 2023, Mzilikazi High School won the competition, while Petra High School claimed the title last year.