Mzizima Students Represent Tanzania on a Global Debating Stage


26 May 2020

For the third consecutive year, students from the Aga Khan Mzizima Secondary School (AKMSS) will be representing Tanzania in the World Schools Debating Championships

For the third consecutive year, students from the Aga Khan Mzizima Secondary School (AKMSS) will be representing Tanzania in the World Schools Debating Championships (WSDC) – an annual English language debating tournament where selected secondary students represent their country on a global platform.

The debating competition is designed to advance the communication skills of young people; facilitate excellence; and promote international understanding and freedom of speech - skills critical to students as they grow into active members of their societies.

This year three students from AKMSS - of a team of six - Alihusain Ramzanali, Dhulkifli Dau and Huzefa Yusufali, will be part of the Tanzania National Debate Team who are gearing up to go head to head with peers from around the world. AKMSS teachers along with the Tanzania Competitive Rhetoric Organisation are currently working virtually with the students to ensure that they are fully prepared for the championships. The competition, which was originally due to take place in Mexico from 19 – 29 July 2020, will now be held virtually as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Huzefa Yusufali, the youngest member of the Tanzania National Debate team, is a talented debater and has represented his country twice on the global stage and a range of other debating platforms. Reflecting on his previous competitions, Huzefa said: “From my experiences in Croatia and Thailand, debating on an international level is very competitive. We faced a plethora of experienced teams, but it was a very good learning experience that will help us to go forward in the future.”

Alihusain Ramzanali and Dhulkifli Dau were selected as national representatives for their excellent performances in the Pan African Schools Debate Championship, Summer Holiday Open Debate Championship and Dar Open Debating Championship 2019.

All three students demonstrate a positive learning attitude, prowess in their performances, and an ability to learn quickly; as well as being experienced public speakers and having enjoyed exposure to international competitions. This places them in a strong position to represent their country with aplomb.