Pupils all set for national road safety debate
Annual competition aims to instil a culture of responsible road user behaviour from a young age.
|||Cape Town - Ten pupils will represent the Western Cape at the national Road Safety Debate Competition in Limpopo in October.
The pupils rose to the top at the provincial finals in Cape Town which was organised by the Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works. The annual competition aims to instill a culture of responsible road user behaviour from a young age.
Department spokesperson Byron la Hoe said youth tended to be particularly at-risk on roads, and the road safety debates was aimed at South Africa's high school learners in their various capacities as pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, novice drivers, and passengers.
Cassidy Pietersen and Welsha Wright from New Orleans High in Paarl, Kutlwisiso Mzaca from Makupula High in Stellenbosch, Zenande Busayi from Diazville High in Saldanha, and Litchona Vongo from Kayamandi High in Stellenbosch will represent the province in the rural category. Philasande Biyongo and Mona-Lisa Matshayana from Simanyene High in Strand, Bubelekazi Mbala from the LEAP Science and Maths School in Athlone, Patience Ruswa from Sea Point High, and Likhona Dyan from Christel House in Wetton will represent the province in the urban category.
Pietersen, 17, said she was excited to represent her province. “I am happy that I participated in this competition because it improved my knowledge about road safety. We all have a role to play in reducing deaths on our roads. I would definitely encourage other learners to get involved in this competition,” she said.
Biyongo, 17, said she enjoyed debating against other teams. “We debated in mixed teams, so I had to compete against learners from my own school. I am hoping to go back to my community and encourage people to exercise caution on our roads,” she said. This year, the youth who previously represented the Western Cape, will be assisting the teams to prepare for the nationals.
African News Agency (ANA)