News

The next generation of African leaders is learning to lead not only through what they know but through how effectively they communicate, debate and engage with the world around them. This was vividly demonstrated at the 2026 Africa Continental Oratory Championship (ACOC) where young people from across the continent gathered to test their skills in debate, public speaking, diplomacy, spelling and intellectual reasoning.

Hosted by the University of Botswana (UB)-affiliated Teemane Oratory Academy from the 8th – 9th of August 2026, the championship brought together hundreds of participants from countries including Botswana, Zimbabwe and Kenya. The competition provided a continental platform for young minds to demonstrate confidence, critical thinking and leadership while engaging with issues that extend beyond national borders.

The championship featured debate and public speaking, alongside Model United Nations (MUN), quiz and spelling competitions, designed to test different dimensions of intellectual ability. Through MUN, participants explored diplomacy, international relations and negotiation while the quiz and spelling competitions tested knowledge, language proficiency and intellectual agility.

Botswana was strongly represented, with schools including Rainbow, Phakalane English Medium, Kopong Junior Secondary, Kwena Sereto Junior Secondary and Ledumang Senior Secondary competing with pride and distinction. Their participation added a strong national dimension to a competition that ultimately celebrated both individual excellence and continental diversity.

Beyond competition, the championship created opportunities for cultural exchange, networking and learning. Bringing together young people from different backgrounds encouraged participants to encounter new perspectives, build confidence and develop communication skills necessary to participate meaningfully in conversations shaping their communities and Africa as a whole.

For Teemane Oratory Academy, the championship represents another milestone in its growing contribution to youth development and intellectual engagement. Earlier this year, the Academy hosted national selection trials for Botswana's World Schools Debating Championship team at UB, attracting about 150 students from junior and senior secondary schools in Gaborone.

The successful hosting of the ACOC also highlights the value of student-led initiatives in complementing the University's academic mission. By providing space for young people to develop critical thinking, articulate ideas and engage across cultures, UB continues to serve not only as a place of academic learning but also as a platform for nurturing the confidence, leadership and intellectual curiosity needed to shape Africa's future.