The civil rights organisation AfriForum has been presenting an extremely successful unprepared debate competition known as Dink of Sink for the past five years. However, the competition has this year been forced, like many other competitions as well, to exchange the normal format for a virtual format due to COVID-19.
A virtual Dink of Sink competition was created and high school learners could still compete in teams consisting of three members, with the necessary COVID-19 regulations in place, by entering this popular competition. Over a period of five months, 55 entries were received, of which 23 junior entries and 32 senior entries.
“A new plan had to be considered and it is wonderful that Dink of Sink could this year still continue. We are very excited about all the entries. We were quite concerned that learners would be uncertain and therefore not enter, but despite a difficult and uncertain school year, learners still proved that they are adaptable and have a need for extramural cultural activities,” says Carien Bloem, Manager of Education Affairs at AfriForum.
Just like previous years, topics dealt with current affairs and were uniquely designed for each team as soon as their entry was received online. Teams then had to record their debate within a certain period and upload it to the Dink of Sink website.
Entries were received from across the entire country. Each category winner was rewarded with a prize, as well as the junior and senior team that ended with the highest points on the scoreboard.
Junior category:
Winner: Hoërskool Linden: Simon Killian, Mia Marais and Natasha Dixon
Runner-up: Helpmekaar Kollege: Andries de Kock, Zander Marais and Nelius van Graan
Senior category:
Winner: Afrikaans Hoër Meisieskool: Kristie Guldenfennig, Mine Herman and Megan Kruger
Runner-up: Hoërskool D.F. Malan: Arnold Hattingh, Gabi dos Santos and Andries Harmse
AfriForum hopes that the Dink of Sink unprepared debate competition will next year take place as usual in its four different regions across the country.
The dates for the 2021 Dink of Sink regional trials are as follows:
Southern region – Host school: Hoërskool D.F. Malan – 7 May 2020
Far north region – Host school: Hoërskool Merensky – 10 June 2021
Central region – Host school: C&N Sekondêre Meisieskool Oranje – 5 August 2021
Northern region – Host school: Hoërskool Montana – 12 and 13 August 2021
The winners of the various regional trials will compete against each other in a national final on 3 October 2021.
Follow the progress of the competition at www.dinkofsink.co.za.