The National Debating League presents...

The 2025 Gauteng Open

The National Debating League runs structured debate programs for over 100 schools across South Africa, Angola, and Mozambique. The Gauteng Open is an opportunity for students to compete with students from around the province and country.

📅 Dates
29-30 March 2025 (Saturday and Sunday)
🔑 Entry Criteria
Grades 6 to 12; each team must be accompanied by an adjudicator.
📋 Registration Fees
ZAR 2,000 per debater (adjudicators free).

Downloads

Documents & Resources

Looking for something you can't find? Please contact thishin@ndl.org.za.

📓 Schedule

Please check the online schedule regularly for updates.

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📋 Registration Form

Registration can be handled online, using our registration portal. Space is limited, so please register as soon as possible.

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🖼️ Pre-Released Motions

Please feel free to share this poster as widely as possible to market the event within your school or community.

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Program Overview

Here is a brief overview of the program. A more detailed explanation can be found in the information booklet.

Competitive Debates

We will have 4 rounds of competitive debates and several elimination rounds. Students will need to be familiar with the World School Style of debate. Two of our motions have already been released.

Green cardstock box open with 50 cards inside.

Awards and Recognition

A series of elimination rounds will determine our winners in each age division. Top performing teams and individuals may receive trophies, medals and certificates.

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

Pre-released Motion #2:

All countries in the world should adopt unconditional jus soli as the primary method of acquiring citizenship

Context
Countries around the world have developed their own criteria for determining how citizenship is awarded to newborn children.
Definition
Jus soli, meaning 'right of the soil' in Latin, is where citizenship is automatically granted to anyone born in a country's territory, regardless of their parents' citizenship status. This can be thought of as citizenship by birthplace.
For example, Mexico grants citizenship automatically to anyone born on its soil. One alternative is jus sanguinis, meaning 'right of blood'. Here, citizenship is determined by your parents' citizenship, regardless of where you're born. So, if your parents are citizens of a country, you automatically become one too, even if you were born elsewhere. For example, in Qatar, only children born to a Qatari father automatically receive Qatari citizenship, regardless of their birthplace.

Suggested Readings:

Want to join us in Cape Town?

For more information, please email thishin@ndl.org.za.
Alternatively, please use the links below.

Info Booklet Registration Form Poster Join a Local Program Learn more