In commemoration of June 16-Youth Day 2024, the Durban University of Technology (DUT)’s Faculty of Management Sciences, in collaboration with DUT Student Governance and Development and innobiz DUT Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, hosted a Post-Elections Student Representative Debate. It was held at the Cane Growers Hall, ML Sultan Campus on Wednesday, 12 June 2024. The event was an initiative by the Faculty of Management Sciences Communications team, Thulasizwe Nkomo, Zandile Mahlobo and Skhumbuzo Mdunge. It supported by the DUT Business School who had sponsored the giveaway gifts.
Centred on the theme of youth unemployment, the debate’s question was: Can the issue of youth unemployment be resolved by politics? The overall aim of the event was to encourage active youth involvement in addressing societal issues by promoting dialogue and understanding.
The event was facilitated by Siphumelele Zondi, a former SABC Journalist and lecturer at DUT’s Journalism unit.
DUT SRC President Solomzi Zoleka delivered the opening remarks. The audience consisted of DUT students and staff as well as visitors from neighbouring higher education institutions in Durban.
“The debate tackles a critical issue that touches South Africa which is youth unemployment. This topic is not only timely but also profoundly relevant in shaping the economic future of our society. Join us in shaping the possible solutions, complex terrain and dissecting the rule of politics combating youth unemployment in South Africa,” said Zoleka.
The debate panellists were made up of student leaders from both within and outside DUT: Ngiphiwe Xulu represented DASO, Mnqobi Msezane represented the MK Youth League and MK Students’ Movement, Sibusiso Ngubane represented EFF Student Command (EFFSC), and Sizwe Luthuli represented SASCO.
The judging panel included Xolani Dube, a political analyst from Xubera Institute, Maseru Mkhwane, a lecturer within the DUT Short Courses Unit and Khothatso Memela, Community Engagement and Student Business Support Coordinator at Innobiz DUT Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
Judges individually scored the panellists using a rubric which featured the following criteria; respect for other participants, information presented was clear, accurate and thorough, rebuttal, the use of facts/statistics, organisationsand understanding of the topic. The total final score per panellist was derived by combining scores from all judges.
Mnqobi Msezane, leader of the MK Youth League, secured first place with 58 points. Following closely behind, EFFSC garnered 51 points, SASCO received 48 points, and DA finished with 31 points. A goodie hamper filled with DUT branded items was awarded to the winner.
The judges and facilitator were presented with token of appreciation gifts sponsored by the DUT Business School.
Pictured: Zinhle Rashee, DUT Business School marketing practitioner presents the winner, Mnqobi Msezane, MK Youth League National Head of Students and Founder of MK Students’ Movement, with his gift.
Skhumbuzo Mdunge
