IN a dazzling display of eloquence and intellectual prowess, Chemhondoro High School emerged victorious at the inaugural Murewa District Secondary Schools Public Speaking Competition, held on February 26 at Murewa High School.
The landmark event brought together 20 of the district’s most gifted young orators, who battled for top honours under the thought-provoking theme Rewriting Our World from Consumers to Creators: How Technology Empowers Our Learning.
Contestants delivered passionate and insightful speeches on how digital tools are transforming education and equipping young people to become innovators rather than mere consumers in a digital age.
The competition was organised by Faceoff Media, Events and Advertising Company in partnership with Kesho Trust.
The programme was made possible through the generous support of key partners including CBZ Bank, Frampol Technologies, School of Public Speaking and Shavanhowe Events Lifestyle Centre.
The road to the finals was fiercely competitive.
Beginning February 4, all 64 secondary schools in the district — both government and private —participated in cluster level preliminaries.
Only 20 students advanced to the grand finale, where they showcased exceptional confidence, creativity and language command.
When the dust settled, it was Celine Kucheza, a 15-year-old Form 3 student from Chemhondoro High School, who captivated both judges and audience to claim first position.
Her compelling address on the transformative power of technology in reshaping learning environments earned her a brand-new laptop and a prestigious trophy.
In a significant boost aligned with the competition’s theme, her victory also earned a state-of-the-art Starlink kit for her school, enhancing connectivity and opening doors for future digital creators.
Nyamutumbu Secondary School claimed second place, with Form 4 student Anotidaishe Mudawose receiving a brand-new laptop.
The school also walked away with a Starlink kit.
The third position went to St Paul’s Musami High School, where Form 2 pupil Mabena Siqobile earned a brand-new tablet.
Chipunga Tasha, a 15-year-old Form 4 student from Murewa High School, secured fourth place, while Tanaka Chiropa, a Form 2 learner from Shalom Academy, finished fifth.
Both received brand-new tablets in recognition of their outstanding efforts.
A Chinyamakobvu represented Mashonaland East Provincial Affairs and Devolution minister Itayi Ndudzo at the prestigious event.
A high-powered delegation from the Primary and Secondary Education ministry further added to the event’s stature.
Among notable officials in attendance were a Mrs Gora, the director of education services; the deputy director of secondary education at provincial level and a Mrs Gondo who represented district schools inspector Christine Tsodzo.
Also present was a Mr Gutu, the deputy director for secondary and non-formal education for Mashonaland East.
Representatives from the Youth and Women Affairs ministries also attended the event, highlighting broad government and community support for nurturing young talent in Murewa.
The competition was hailed as a resounding success, with participants brilliantly exploring how technology can help to rewrite their world.
The event signalled a bright future for public speaking, digital innovation and youth empowerment across the district.