Camaraderie | Mentorship | Growth
2027 All Girls Debating Championship
📅 25-27 June 2027
🗺️ Merrifield Prep & College, KuGompo (East London)🎓 Grades 4 to 12
Overview
The Championship Experience
It’s about growth, leadership, and lasting connections.
One Community, Four Divisions
- Group A — Grade 10+
- Group B — Grade 8–9
- Group C — Grade 6–7
- Group D — Grade 4–5
Multiple teams may be entered per division. A team may consist of 3-5 members.
Adjudication Training
We will guide all educators through the adjudication process, ensuring a standard set of rules is applied across the competition. This will enhance also the educator’s ability to coach their students.
Become a Mentor
Are you an experienced debater? Sign up to become a mentor to a Junior team. Impart experience, support them through the highs and lows, and share your passion.
5 Rounds of Competition
All teams will compete in a minimum of 5 rounds of debate.
Official Hotel: Premier Hotel ICC East London
🗺️ 22 Esplanade, Quigney, KuGompo City, 5201
Participants will stay at the Premier Hotel ICC East London.
This hotel is on the KuGompo beachfront.
Twin (Sharing) Rooms
Participants will be allocated to sharing rooms.
Breakfast Included
A full buffet breakfast is included.
Daily Shuttles
We will transport all participants between the hotel and Merrifield each day.
Outdoor Pool
The Premier Hotel has an outdoor pool overlooking their gardens.
Registration Information
Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Reach out to our thishin@ndl.org.za.
- Registration Fees for Out-of-Town Teams
- Pricing is per person and depends on how many occupants you allocate to a room.
- When individuals share rooms, the price is ZAR 7,000 per person. When an individual has a room to themselves, it is ZAR 10,000 per person.
- KuGompo (East London)-based teams pay a lower registration rate per person. Their package excludes accommodation and some meals. They should contact us directly for more information.
- What is included in the registration fee?
- ✅ Participation
- ✅ Hotel bookings - Check-in on 25 June and Check-out on 28 June
- ✅ Return airport shuttles
- ✅ All meals starting with dinner on 25 June to breakfast on 28 June
- ✅ Shuttles between the official hotel and Merrifield
- ✅ A sightseeing tour
- ✅ Tournament merchandise
- ✅ Training Resources
- ✅ Access to event socials
- What is excluded?
- ❌ Transportation to East London (flights, busses, etc)
- What if our team needs training?
- We are able to arrange an online coach from our South African network. A typical coach charges ZAR 350 per hour of training. Arrangements (hours, final pricing, payment) should be arranged directly with the coach.
- How do we register?
- Go to https://admin.ndl.org.za/register to sign up. The registration platform will require you to create an account and verify your email address.
Testimonials regarding NDL events
Participating in this made me get out of my comfort zone and challenge myself but it also helped me improve many skills such as public speaking, convincing an audience with strong points to enhance my idea and motion, thinking and working fast and under pressure... I discovered something that I did not know I enjoyed until then and it gave me the opportunity to be around people my age with similar interests, and have a good time with friends while learning.
Ayisha Adriano, Maputo
Debating has shown me that there isn't a direct answer to a problem. You have to think carefully about how you answer and how you can persuade people to believe what you say.
Adam Roussou, Cape Town
The children thoroughly enjoyed the tournaments, where they had the opportunity to meet peers and teachers from other schools. The diverse and engaging topics encouraged them to deepen their general knowledge and think critically about various issues. Through debating, they developed important skills such as public speaking, critical thinking, and teamwork.
Aqeela Ahmed, Johannesburg