Participating in school debates helps children develop critical thinking skills and enhances their ability to communicate effectively. Debating also builds confidence, shaping them into well-rounded individuals. Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) is delighted to award News24 a GLAD^[1] for its article that is child centred and highlights the child’s achievement.

The article tittle, “Proud Gqeberha mom’s plea to send ‘kind and bold’ son, 11, to national debate champs” (08/02/2025) written by Aphelele Mbokotho talks about a 11-year old Hluma Baduza in grade 6 who is part of a debate team in Parsons Hill Primary School in Gqeberha. Baduza was in a junior debating team last year and has progressed well to join in the senior team this year.

According to the article the 11-year-old will participate in the upcoming national competition which will be held in Johannesburg in October 2025. In addition, 130 schools would participate in this year National Debating League.

The story’s central focus is on the excellence of the 11-year-old, even though in the article it states that they are raising funds for the child to attend the Johannesburg debate event. In the article the child is accessed and allowed to express his views on how they feel. He says, “I was really nervous because I’m not used to arguing with people. Like not that type of arguing. So it was really a nervous experience when I started. But then when I started to learn more and more about it, I started to feel much better” This is notable journalistic practice considering how children’s voices are the least accessed in the media alongside women.

Article 12:1^[2] which states that, “States parties shall assure to the child who is capable of forming his or her own views the rights to express those views freely in all matters affecting the child, the view of the child being given due weight in accordance with the age and maturity of the child’’.

The article was accompanied by two beautiful pictures of the child smiling and holding his certificates, making the article more engaging.

MMA congratulates News24 on an inspiring article that portrays children as leaders who are able to lead and champion community focused initiatives and also gives them a voice to share their story.

Written by Msizi Mzolo

Edited by Ntombifuthi Kubeka

[1] GLADs are awarded to the media for great journalistic practice on matters concerning children

[2] https://www.unicef.org/armenia/en/stories/four-principles-convention-rights-child