Simphiwe Ngwane -- WiSER MA Student -- represents WITS at debate and excels!

Last week Masters Student and Fellow at WiSER, Simphiwe Ngwane, represented WITS University in a mock African Union (AU) debate and public speaking contest, organized by the Africa Institute of South Africa (AISA), simulating the Peace and Security Council.

Simphiwe represented Libya and prepared a seven minute oral presentation around the theme, ‘African Inter-regional Cooperation for Energy Security in Response to Climate Change’ and articulate Libya's policies and definition of a ‘Green Economy’. At the gala dinner following the event the best debate award went to Ms. Marvellous Ndhlovu from the University of Venda (representing Kenya), and Simphiwe was awarded second place. Simphiwe, Ms Ndhlovu and 2 other students in the top 4, Ms. Itumeleng Mukhovha  and Ms. Naledi Modise, were each awarded a Guggenheim Foundation Scholarship to participate in a capacity building programme at Pembroke College, Cambridge University in July 2013.  

Through the generosity of the Wits Research Office, the DVC of Research, the Director of the Graduate Support Division, Simphiwe's travel expenses to Oxford University will be covered so he can take up the grant and represent WITS University.

Well done Simphiwe!