By Johnathan Paoli
The Afrikaans language was celebrated in vibrant and inspiring fashion as learners from across the country gathered at the first-ever “Nou Praat Jy!” national public speaking competition.
The event themed “Afrikaans: ’n taal van kleure en klank” (Afrikaans: a language of colour and sound), was held at Curro Durbanville High School as part of its broader Kultura Festival. It placed the spotlight on Afrikaans youth voices through a uniquely styled duet-format competition that emphasised dialogue, authenticity and linguistic diversity.
Head of the Afrikaans Department at Curro Durbanville and co-organiser of the event, Joline de Klerk, encouraged learners to engage creatively with the topic, delivering speeches in pairs with a conversational flair and in any Afrikaans dialect of their choice including Kaaps, Overberg and Namakwa varieties.
“We wanted to break away from the traditional rigidity of team public speaking. By pairing learners and encouraging spontaneity, we gave them room to express their personalities while celebrating the richness of Afrikaans in all its forms,” De Klerk said.
The competition attracted participants from a wide range of provinces, with standout performances across both Home Language and First Additional Language categories.
Winners walked away with impressive cash prizes, including R10,000 awarded to the top-performing duos in each category.
Notable winners included Hareem Amir from Curro Century City who won the Best Junior First Additional Language Speaker award, while Ngcali Dantile and Madison-Mae Alexander from Curro Durbanville High picked up the Best Senior First Additional Language Speaker awards.
Risa Burger from Durbanville High and Lara Slabbert from Hoërskool Stellenbosch were awarded Best Junior and Best Senior Language speaker awards respectively.
De Klerk said the idea behind Nou Praat Jy! was inspired by a desire to not only mark the 100-year milestone of Afrikaans, but to ignite passion and pride in the language among the youth.
A highlight of the event was a compelling performance by Parel Vallei High School, in which the team alternated seamlessly between Kaapse Afrikaans and Standard Afrikaans, demonstrating both linguistic dexterity and the cultural richness of the language.
“It was powerful to witness how learners expressed that Afrikaans is not a monolith, but dynamic, evolving and inclusive,” De Klerk said.
The event also proved to be a moment of reflection for many First Additional Language speakers.
“Hearing their views on Afrikaans and how it fits into their lives was one of the most touching and enlightening aspects of the day,” De Klerk noted.
Crucially, the event returned to an in-person stage format after years of digital competitions brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“There’s something magical about live delivery, the energy, the interaction, the nerves and applause. It brought a level of authenticity that online platforms can’t replicate,” De Klerk said.
Public speaking, according to the organisers, played a critical role in developing learners’ self-confidence, research capabilities and communication skills.
“It’s about more than just winning; it’s about learning how to express yourself clearly, think critically, and speak with purpose,” she said.
The Nou Praat Jy! contest was one of the central features of the week-long Kultura Festival, which aimed to create a vibrant, inclusive arts and culture platform for the Durbanville community.
The festival showcased a wide variety of talents from live musical performances by high school bands to theatre and comedy acts featuring household names like Sandra Prinsloo, Barry Hilton and Francois van Coke.
A parallel wine festival celebrated the region’s viticulture, bringing together local artists, learners and residents in a unified cultural celebration.
“The spoken word is one of the most powerful tools for self-expression and community building. To see our learners use it to honour Afrikaans and share their stories was truly special,” De Klerk said.
Plans are underway to make Nou Praat Jy! an annual fixture on the school and national public speaking calendar, with the hopes of growing participation and drawing more schools into the fold.
INSIDE EDUCATION
