By Fresher Diana

The USIU-Africa Spoken Arts & Debate Society (SADS) hosted 12 universities from Kenya on Thursday November, 19 and Friday, November 20 for the Mbokodo Debate Open Tournament, to engage and discuss controversial issues surrounding gender minorities and women’s place in the long-standing patriarchal society. Mbokodo represents a South African narrative that speaks to women embodying the characteristics of a rock: being hard, strong, and unwavering.

Centered on different aspects of gender minorities and Gender Based Violence (GBV), the debate saw a total of 64 debaters compete in three stages: 4 preliminary rounds, semi-finals and grand finale. Two SADS members, Jeffry Shelton (Applied Computer Technology, Senior) and Elsie Sirengo (International Relations, Junior) participated in the debate as a team. In the end, Njuguna Macharia and Becky Alec from Strathmore University emerged winners scooping both the winning team and two best speakers.

The debate further involved a panel discussion focusing on GBV and issues that affect women, in honor of the 16 days of activism against GBV. It was chaired by Mary Kibe ((International Relations, Senior), Student Affairs Council Secretary General, as Mrs. Lucy Kung’u, Principal Counselor, Maureen Atieno, Principal Officer-Gender Equity & Protection and Jane Achieng, Director of Corporate Relations, the Debate Circle comprehensively discussed the issues.

The SADS organizing committee; Chantelle Mukabi (Applied Computer Technology, Senior) Chair, Kagia Samuel (Finance, Senior), Vice Chair, Fresher Diana (International Relations, Junior, Executive Secretary), and James Wandui (Applied Technology, Senior), Treasurer received immense support from the club patron, Dr. Quin Awuor, Assistant Professor of Applied Linguistics, club coordinators and the School of Humanities and Social Sciences make the tournament successful.

As a club, SADS has witnessed immense growth this year and the have plans to continue building partnerships through empowerment and strength not only in Africa but all over the world through their associations.

The club will be participating in the following future events:

• Zanzibar Opens in December 2021 to take place physically in Zanzibar, Tanzania;
• Uhuru Worlds Debate will be a virtual debate that will be held in January 2022;
• East African Convening Debate that will be held at the USIU-Africa Campus in March 2022;
• 6th leg of the Mashujaa Opens will take place at the Strathmore University in 2022;
• Pioneer University to organize a debate tournament that will be held on their campus in 2022;