Mbabane – Mkhonza High School has been crowned the regional champion of the Shiselweni Schools Debate tournament held at Evelyn Baring High School, beating out three other schools in a parliamentary simulation that tackled some of the country’s most pressing social challenges.
The tournament was hosted by the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office in partnership with UNFPA Eswatini, the European Union in Eswatini and Naticc, the Nhlangano AIDS Training and Counselling Center, under the Hlonipheka Thriving for Dignity Programme.
Learners from Evelyn Baring, Mkhonza, Matsanjeni and Mshengu High Schools took part in the debate, which focused on critical structural interventions to combat gender-based violence. The debaters examined national budget allocations for domestic violence enforcement units and weighed up perpetrator rehabilitation frameworks as an alternative to imprisonment. 
After an intellectually demanding final round, Mkhonza High School took the top prize with Matsanjeni High School finishing in second place.
Delivering the closing address, Senior Gender Analyst Thandwa Dlamini praised the learners for their analytical depth and spoke directly to their role in shaping the country’s future.
“You are the future leaders of this nation, but more importantly, you are the leaders right now in how you choose to uplift rather than tear down each other. By prioritizing your education, protecting your future, and choosing to care for one another, you are the generation that will actively break the cycle of violence and build a safer Eswatini,” Dlamini told the assembly.
The Deputy Prime Minister’s Office extended congratulations to the winners, all participating schools, the adjudicators and the educators whose mentorship continues to shape a responsible and engaged generation of young Emaswati.
