24 to 26 October 2026

2025 High School National Debating Championship

The 2026 National Championship will be held at St Benedict's College, Bedfordview. This event will bring together the top school teams from each of South Africa’s local leagues.

Schedule

How to Qualify

To be eligible for entry, your team must complete the preliminary rounds of your local league and rank in the top 4 for your age division. There are two divisions: Group A (Grade 10+) and Group B (Grade 8-9).

Participants in the 2025 High School National Championship are automatically requalified.

Venue and Dates

The championship will be held at St Benedict's College, Bedfordview. All debates and socials will be held on their campus. The registration package will include accommodation at a nearby hotel. The hotel will be announced soon.

Teams should arrive at the hotel by 4pm on 24 October 2026 and depart on 27 October 2026.

Championship History

1-2 October 2024

@ Bishops, Cape Town

The inaugural NDL National Championship is held at Bishops Diocesan College on 1-4 October 2024. This was South Africa’s first school-based National Championship for debating. The Senior finals were ultimately won by Crawford International Pretoria against Northwood School from Durban. The Junior finals were won by Durban Girls College against Herzlia High School.

Dec 2021

@ Danville, Durban

The second edition of the NDL National Championship were held at Danville Park Girls’ High School in Durban. The tournament doubled in size and brought more regions of South Africa into the competition. The Senior finals were won by Merrifield Prep and College from East London against Michaelhouse from the KZN Midlands. The Junior finals were won by Hoërskool Hangklip from Komani against St Dunstan’s College from Benoni.

Official Hotel: Holiday Inn Johannesburg Sunnyside Park

🗺️Princess of Wales Terrace Cnr Carse O Gowrie, Sunnyside Dr, &, Johannesburg, 2041

View Hotel Website Google Maps Pin View Travel Route

Participants will stay at the Holiday Inn Sunnyside Park. This was also our official hotel for the 2024 Pan-African Debating Championship.

This is a 4 star hotel and a recognised as a Heritage site, with national monument status. The surrounding residential areas are filled with Heritage homes and include numerous Herbert Baker designed homes.

Twin (Sharing) Rooms

As in 2024, participants will be allocated to sharing rooms.

Green cardstock box containing white, beige, and brown cards.

Breakfast Included

A full buffet breakfast is included.

Green cardstock box open with 50 cards inside.

Daily Shuttles

We will transport all participants between the hotel and Holy Family College each day.

Detail of white today card, beige next card, and brown someday card with dot grid.

Outdoor Pool

The Holiday Inn Sunnyside Park has an outdoor pool overlooking their gardens.

Stack of three green cardstock boxes with 3 hole cutouts showing cards inside.

Registration Package

The registration package includes everything except getting to Johannesburg. The registration fee is charged per person (student or teacher).

Included:

🛏️ Accommodation for the duration of the event
- ⏰ Check-in after 14:00 on 24 October 2026
- ⏰ Check-out by 10:00 on 27 October 2026
🍔 All Meals
- 🍗 Starting with dinner on 24 October 2026
- 🍳 Ending with breakfast on 27 October 2026
🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Tournament registration and participation
🚌 Daily transfers between the Holiday Inn Sunnyside Park and St Benedict's College
📸 Sightseeing and social event access
🎁 Tournament merchandise
🏆 Any trophies or medals won