The National Debating League presents...
The Lusaka Debating League
Join the NDL’s first championship for Lusaka, Zambia. Top performing teams will earn a spot in the 2025 Pan-African Debating Championship.
24-25 May 2025 at Unicaf University - Zambia Campus.
Entry open to students in Grades 4 to 12.
More information will be uploaded soon.
Become a confident speaker and a critical thinker.
Participants in our Lusaka Debating League will participate in a minimum of six debates. Students will debate a diverse range of issues, including international relations, economics, and how we configure our society. Each debate gives students a practical way to learn more about the world around them and develop their mastery of the English language.
Preparation Material
The resources on our website will help educators start the debate preparations in their schools. We have also pre-released some of the debate topics, making it possible for students to research and practice for some of their debates.
Surprise Topics
Some of our debate topics will only be released at the debate tournament. In these situations, teams will have 40 minutes to prepare at the venue. This will give teams a chance to impliment the feedback they have received from adjudicators.
Teacher/Adjudicator Orientation
We will host an Orientation Session for teachers and adjudicators on 6 December 2024. This session will help teachers become comfortable with our debate format and how to adjudicate debates.
Student Orientation Session
We host an Orientation Session for students on 7 December 2024. The session will include live examples of several debate concepts. This will ensure that everyone has a common understanding of the debate format.
Constructive Feedback
The adjudicators will deliver feedback to teams at the end of each debate. Teams will use this information to improve their cases and speech delivery.
Awards
We will recognize our top performing speakers and teams with trophies, medals, and certificates. Teachers will also receive certificates for adjudicating debates.
Age Divisions and Team Entries
Teams will be assigned to a division based on the grades of the speakers. Team members can be from different grades, and a team can consist of between 3 and 5 debaters. Each time they debate, 3 members will debate.
Registering Teams
Schools may enter multiple teams in the competition. There is a registration fee per student. There are no registration fees for teachers who help us adjudicate debates. Parents are always welcome to spectate.
Schools may centrally manage the registration for their students. Alternatively, they can direct parents to pay the NDL directly using our secure online system.
Entry Requirements:
- Each team should be accompanied by a teacher who will help adjudicate debates.
- Each team should have between 3 and 5 members.
- Each member of the team should be from the same school.
We are able to accept payments through VISA, Mastercard, or SWIFT bank transfers to our South African bank account. Online card payments will have additional processing fees.
Registration Fee
ZMW 1,400 Per Student
School Managed RegistrationsUse this option to register your school. This should be used by schools who are centrally managing registration payments.
Parent Managed RegistrationsUse this option if you are a parent paying the NDL directly. This will allow you to make a secure online payment. Your child's teacher will be notified of the registration.
Represent Zambia Internationally
Top performing teams will receive an invitation to compete at the 2025 Pan-African Debating Championship in Cape Town, South Africa.
Learn about the Pan-African Debating Championship