By Fresher Diana

Historic is the word that describes the 1^st leg of Mashujaa Schools Debate Series, that took place recently. Representing USIU-Africa at the Mashujaa Schools Tournament as part of the adjudication panel were Kashaka Jeremiah, Elsie Sirengo, and Louis Gitu.

The SADS Chair, Fresher Diana was also present at the event, which featured over 30 High Schools from all over Kenya and international intuitions from nations such as Uganda and Rwanda. All SADS judges participated in out rounds, with two adjudicating the semifinals and one, Louis Gitu adjudicating all the way up to the finals, securing a spot in the final adjudicating panel.

Mashujaa Opens is a debate series inspired by the need to create spaces and platforms where the youth can share ideas and grow their speaking skills and critical thinking skills. This year the event saw over 60 debate teams and 100 public speakers participate and engage in hot button topics and events. The tournament was split into two main categories; Senior for those in Form 3 and 4 and Junior for those in Form 2 and 1. After a long and engaging competition, two teams were crowned winners of the tournament, Team Kinder World of the Junior category and Team Kenya WUDC from the senior category.

Through the guidance of our club patron, Dr. Quin Juma, SADS seeks to not only achieve proper articulation in speech, but also arm USIU-Africa community a global recognition in the debate society. With the support of the USIU-Africa community, SADS has more upcoming projects including:

1. Participating in the Belgrade World Universities Debate Championship in July 2022;
2. Organizing and hosting the Ikenga Debate Competition in July 2022;
3. Attending the East Africa Universities Debate Championship in Arusha, Tanzania in August 2022;
4. Participating in the Pan African Universities Debate Championship at Strathmore University in December 2022
5. Participating in the Madrid World Universities Debate Championship in December 2022 in Madrid, Spain.