The University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) Department of Student Residence Affairs (DSRA) hosted a successful Residence Debate Series final at UKZN’s Howard College Theatre, with the Anglo Cluster Residence emerging as the overall winner after a fierce contest against Khayelisha Residence.
The final brought together students, staff and guests for an evening of intellectual engagement, with the two teams debating whether South Africa should reinstate the death penalty for serial killers and serial rapists. Both teams presented compelling arguments, demonstrating their ability to engage critically with complex social and ethical questions.
Four residences – Albert Luthuli Residence, Anglo Cluster, Khayelisha and Pius Langa – qualified for the semi-finals following elimination rounds involving residences under DSRA’s Howard College and Medical School campuses.
Anglo Cluster and Khayelisha advanced to the final, where Anglo Cluster won.
Law student Mr Owami Nzimande of the winning team argued that reinstating the death penalty could create a dangerous perception of justice based on an eye-for-an-eye approach, potentially offering victims and their families a sense of hope that may not address the broader consequences of violent crime.
Nzimande further argued that perpetrators should live with the consequences of their actions, cautioning that the death penalty could, in some circumstances, allow offenders to escape long-term responsibility and accountability.
Said Nzimande: “The debate series has made me much more confident, and actually be able to think critically, as I was able to do research in order to actually present and be aware of both sides of the topic.”
The standard of debate demonstrated that both finalists had earned their places through preparation, critical analysis and the ability to defend their positions convincingly.
Launched in 2024, the DSRA Residence Debate Series is part of the Department’s ongoing commitment to promoting active learning, independent reasoning and intellectual engagement among students. The initiative supports UKZN’s 2023-2032 Strategic Plan, particularly its goals of excellent teaching and learning and an excellent student experience. By creating opportunities for students to apply critical thinking beyond the formal classroom, the programme contributes to their holistic development and equips them with skills that extend into their academic and professional lives.
This year’s event also marked the first collaboration between DSRA and Eduvos, a private Higher Education Institution based in Umhlanga. The partnership created an opportunity for students from different institutions to exchange ideas, network and learn from one another.
The visit reflected Eduvos’s commitment to learning from the department’s experience and exploring opportunities for future collaboration.
Ms Olwethu Ngwenya, a student representative from Eduvos, hoped the engagement would be the beginning of further joint initiatives between the institutions. She pointed out that “watching the UKZN debate was a wonderful experience. As Eduvos students we were motivated and we would love to experience more debates. The event created an environment for our mental growth and we appreciate that we were respected and assisted as guests.”
The event’s success was also supported by the organising committee and judges, whose contributions were essential to planning, co-ordination and the smooth running of the programme. Ms Sesanda Dlamini, Vice-Chair of the organising committee, reflected on the importance of creating opportunities for students to demonstrate their abilities, noting that such initiatives could reveal talents that might otherwise remain undiscovered.
Said Dlamini: “What I’ve observed in the finals is that the majority of the participants remain confident about the work they have done and how to articulate it. They were also able to make contemporary examples with their work, so it shows real growth from them.” Thus, events like these show that students are talented and that all they need is an opportunity to express themselves.
Despite the strong attendance at the final, Dlamini expressed concern about the relatively low following on the DSRA Debate Series’ social media platforms. She encouraged students to follow the series on TikTok and Instagram to keep up with upcoming activities, celebrate student achievements and participate in future initiatives.
The Residence Debate Series is one of four central developmental programmes spearheaded by DSRA Residence Life Officers. The Department’s broader initiatives include annual Sports Day and sporting tournaments, free aerobics classes, free academic mentorship programmes, the Her Space group, which promotes engagement with gender-related issues, and the Green Campus Initiative, which encourages environmental awareness.
These programmes form part of the broader developmental vision championed by Head of Department Mr Nhlanhla Mthombeni and Residence Life Coordinator Ms Bongekile Hadebe, with a focus on creating opportunities for students to grow academically, socially and personally.
Anglo Cluster’s victory, coupled with the new collaboration with Eduvos, highlights the potential of residence-based programmes to strengthen intellectual engagement, student success and partnerships within the Higher Education sector.
Words: Obadiah Moyo
Photograph: Supplied