Are you silver-tongued? Do you have the gift of the gab? Curro Durbanville High School is launching Nou Praat Jy! It is a national public-speaking competition with a twist.
Unlike traditional speech contests, Nou Praat Jy! challenges teams of two learners to deliver a unified, engaging speech on the theme “Afrikaans – ’n taal van kleure en klank”.
Taking place on 25 and 26 June 2025 as part of the Kultura Festival at Curro Durbanville, the event celebrates both public speaking and 100 years of Afrikaans as an official language. Judges will look for spontaneity, synergy and originality, making this a true showcase of linguistic flair.
Curro Durbanville High School proudly invites high schools across the country to enter their most seasoned team for this prestigious competition.
The contest is open to Afrikaans home language speakers and Afrikaans first additional language speakers in a category for Juniors (Grades 8 to 9) and Seniors (Grades 10 to 12). Each team has 5 to 7 minutes to prove themselves, and the judges will be waiting with bated breath for a spontaneous interaction between speakers.
“We are looking forward to lekker conversational dialogue,” say Afrikaans teachers Joline de Klerk and Maritsa Smit. “Additionally, we keep our fingers crossed that teams bring regional languages and dialects of Afrikaans to the stage. We hope they come and talk like they talk at home!”
The best among the competitors can look forward to cash prizes: the winning schools and winners get R10 000 each, runners-up get R6 000 each and third place winners get R4 000 each.
The competition will take place on 25 and 26 June 2025 at Curro Durbanville High School. The closing date for entries is 24 April 2025.
Entry forms are available online on the school’s website or send an email to Joline de Klerk at joline.d@curro.co.za for more details.
Nou praat jy! is part of Curro Durbanville High School’s new Kultura Festival which will take place from 20 to 27 June on the school's campus. Apart from productions by beloved artists such as Sandra Prinsloo, Marion Holm, Francois van Coke, Barry Hilton and Early B, high school bands will also get a chance to jam.
As all these events unfold in Durbanville, a Wine Festival will be held to showcase the local wine farms’ finest creations, offering the community a chance to come together and enjoy this cultural celebration. For tickets, visit Quicket.co.za.