By Emily Setona
BETHLEHEM – Joy and gratitude filled the heart of Mashaeng Secondary School learner Lerato Mokhoantle after she was crowned the winner of the Dihlabeng Local Municipality Grade 9 Public Speaking Competition.
The competition brought together Grade 9 learners from schools across Dihlabeng Local Municipality to showcase their public speaking skills while reflecting on the significance of the June 16 Uprising, the progress made since the advent of democracy and the importance of voting.
Before the finals, learners submitted videos that met specific technical requirements and content guidelines, with the best contestants advancing to the final round.
Lerato emerged as the overall winner, followed by Lethabo Mohapi of Bethlehem Combined School in second place and Relebohile Maseko of Bethlehem Comprehensive School in third.
Still celebrating her achievement, Lerato thanked those who stood by her throughout the competition.
“I would like to thank the teachers who helped me prepare. The experience was fun for me and I would also like to thank my parents for their support. I am very happy that I won,” she said.
Judge Walter Matshwi praised the high standard of the competition, saying selecting the winners had not been easy.
“It was a very tough competition. The judges came to a very difficult decision in choosing the top three because every learner was excellent,” he said.
Matshwi added that the rules required each participant to speak for a minimum of three minutes, but some learners rushed through their speeches, missing the required time and forfeiting their opportunity to be considered for the top three.
Grace Malefane, the teacher who coached Lerato at Mashaeng Secondary School in Fouriesburg, said preparing for the competition during the examination period had been challenging.
“The preparation for this competition was difficult because it was during the exams and Lerato was chosen to represent the school. We would like to thank the Executive Mayor’s Office and all the stakeholders for giving us this opportunity to take part,” she said.
Another participant, Tshepiso Mokoena of L.K. Nthlabati Secondary School, said she valued the experience despite not placing among the winners.
“This experience was fun for me and even though I didn’t come out in the top three, I am very grateful for this opportunity,” she said.
Executive Mayor Tseki Tseki congratulated all the learners, saying their confidence and ability to express themselves had made Dihlabeng proud.
“If I was in their position, I would have been nervous to face the judges, but seeing these young learners articulate themselves with such skill and excellence was a very proud moment for Dihlabeng,” he said.
