Tiger Kloof Secondary School, located in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District, once again demonstrated its excellence by securing third place in the urban category of the National Road Safety School Debate Competition held in Bloemfontein, on Friday, 27 September 2024. This achievement marks another milestone in the school’s impressive journey through the phases of this competition, where they consistently performed at the highest levels.

The National Road Safety Debates are part of the Road Traffic Management Corporation’s Participatory Education Techniques (PET) programme, aimed at encouraging learners to identify road safety challenges and propose solutions. This initiative also aims to enhance learners’ research, public speaking, and critical thinking skills.

A Journey of Success

Tiger Kloof’s journey to the national stage has been nothing short of remarkable. Their success at the district level, held earlier this year in Vryburg, saw them emerge as the top team, representing the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District. Following this, they excelled at the provincial level held in Stilfontein, securing the first position and earning their place to represent the North West province at the national competition.

Outstanding Achievement at Nationals

At the national level in Bloemfontein, Tiger Kloof stood strong against tough competition from schools across the country. Competing in the urban category, they impressed the judges with their well-researched arguments, creative solutions to road safety challenges, and their ability to communicate effectively.

The Director for Road Safety Management, Motshabi Tshukudu, praised the school’s performance, saying, “We have always had great representation as a province at nationals. Our learners continue to display sheer excellence in what is probably the most contentious show off at their age.”

Impact Beyond the Competition

Beyond the trophies and accolades, the experience has been transformative for the learners involved. Busisiwe Spencer, the trainer for the school, highlighted the dedication and commitment of the learners. “It has been a long journey for the team, but they have learned a lot about Road Safety, critical thinking, and boldness when addressing the audience,” she said. “We put in a lot of work to prepare for this journey, involving sacrifice and long hours. Our research not only covered road safety challenges in our area but also in the entire country, as we aimed to propose sustainable solutions.”

The Road Safety Debates programme aims to equip learners with the skills to identify road safety challenges and become advocates for change in their communities. Tiger Kloof’s success underscores the importance of such programmes in nurturing future leaders.

As Tiger Kloof Secondary School celebrates this significant achievement, they continue to inspire other schools in the North West province to strive for excellence. Their journey through the district, provincial, and national levels has not only earned them recognition but has also instilled in them a sense of responsibility to contribute to their community’s safety.

-The VIP Team

-NW DCSTM

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