• Some of the debate contestants and teachers.

First Quantum Minerals (FQM), the holding company of Kansanshi Mining Plc(KMP), holds an unqualified conviction about the power of oration in leadership roles in all human societies.
FQM sanctioned KMP, through the Kansanshi Foundation Institute (KFI) to hold speaking and quiz competitions in line with the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policy.
The competitions were held at Solwezi Teachers College recently,featuring six debating finalists from Solwezi Technical Secondary School and Mushindamo Primary School (formerly a basic school). Like-wise,the quiz competition involved six finalists at grades 8 and 9 levels.
In the provisions of community-based services,as Onward Mandebvu, KFI Head of Education noted, KMP treats the promotion of quality education in Solwezi District and the outlying communities the sublime priority —with justification.
In no less than 15 primary schools,KFI has supplied an abundance school-books enabling the school children become devourers of academic knowledge which will,ultimately, turn them into “flowers of fine thought.”
Mandebvu however pointed out what he felt there was one very vital tile of education missing from the Zambian education system —the nurturing of school– children in public speaking skills.
Opportunity to express knowledge, as the saying goes, occurs only once in a while.
In Solwezi District, school-going children could not get a more affordable chance to participate in debating and quiz competitions than that offered recently by experts too rare to find in Zambia — the KFI.
Competitors
The debating competition initially drew 32 competitors (grades 10 to 12)from eight secondary schools in Solwezi District.
No less than 47 primary schools, featuring children of grades 5 to 9, enlisted and participated in the quiz competition.
Thoughtfully,   considering the bane of environmental mismanagement in Zambia,the grades 10 to 12 speakers debated on the provocative topic: Solwezi Urban and Peri-Urban Are Today Experiencing All Consequences of Spoilt Environment.
Defending the position, Evelyn Mukishi from Mushindamo Primary School broached what ensued into a rage for speaking punctuated by standing ovations from the audience.
She spoke with moving fluency,ease of comfort and stunning self-confidence. Her well-delivered oration, moreover,was expertly tailored in tune with her personal radiant aura, and so specifically dead on point.
“Population keeps increasing in Solwezi,” she put forth, “arising from the booming mining operations by Kansanshi Mine.
It is inherent that mining operations induce consequences such as chemical effluents, industrial hazards, insanitariness, and water and air pollution.
The people of Solwezi District have to make a choice between the possibility  offers of getting employed by Kansanshi Mine,or continue living peasantly.”
Marcha Kolala, seconding the motion, pulled all his weight decrying the crime wave and rampant road carnage now obtaining in Solwezi; attributable to in-coming immigrants and the increased ownership of vehicles through affluence.
“Consequently,roads in Solwezi have become pot-holed impacting on vehicles which are getting damaged.Driving in Solwezi, hence, is not pleasurable in real sense,” he said.
In full-blast opposition, Kalukangu Manjimela from Solwezi Technical School rebutted: “The speakers in support of the motion have only expressed logical fallacy,or can I say, off-target shooting.”
All-in-all, Manjimela’s speech-content was explanatory, persuasive and intellectually stimulating — a three-in-one presentation that was fully lapped up by the all-consuming audience.
Rebuttably, he contended that KMP operates par excellence in compliance with Zambia Environment Management (ZEMA).
Catherine Kangamo, the second opposition speaker,stepped onto the podium manifesting self-confidence,naturalness equipped with witty quotations,solid facts and figures.Very feministic!
In her well-balanced delivery, she panned the supporters of the topic urging them to realise that Kansanshi Mining Plc,like every mine,has life expectancy.
“What will remain when the mining operation gets exhausted? People in Solwezi District will be left with nothing, but the spoilt environment,” she fired.
Confidence
In equipping the youth with speaking skills,KFI is well-meaning and well-intended.
Chiefly,from such debating competitions,the youth are getting enabled to build public speaking confidence to be able to communicate their feelings and ideas to many.
Underlining the importance of holding the debate and quiz competitions, Mandebvu says: “We do this in many and various ways:through retraining teachers, providing educational infrastructure,supplying in abundance,  school books,offering school-based literacy and various community activities.”
John Chibesa, Senior Provincial Education officer (Standards),described the debating level exhibited as “the best beyond expectations,both in expressing intellectual eloquence and the analysis of environmental issues.”
Over and above, he poured commendations on KMP for their fruitful efforts applied in the furthering of quality education in the district.
The competition turned out a photo-finish,so close was the final outcome.
Kalukanga Manjimela scooped the first position with K300 in prize money while Evelyn Mukisha took the second position and K200.
Catherine Kangamo was third-placed,taking away K100.
The primary school contestants were: Limpo Namakando (Kikomde Primary School) who emerged first scooping K300; Womba Nyikosa (Kabulobe Primary School) who was second with K200 while Belvis Kahangu (Kabulobe Primary School) took the third position and K100.
KFI, to crown it all,sponsored 10 pupils on a week-long trip to Conservation Lower Zambezi, Chirundu, to appraise the ideal environmental setting rich in fauna and flora.- Feature courtesy of SUMA SYSTEMS.