International Museum Day is celebrated annually on 18 May. A speech competition for Grade 10 and 11 learners with English as first additional language is held at various Overberg museums on or around this date.
In Caledon the competition took place on Friday 17 May in the old Masonic Lodge of the Caledon Museum.
As museums help to educate the youth about their cultural heritage the competition themes always focus on museums and their importance in their communities. This year’s theme was “Museums for Education and Research”.
Although only five learners took part in this year’s competition, the standard of the speeches was exceptionally high.
The winner of this year’s competition was Emily Meets of Overberg High School, with Chriswin Hull and Emile Tsambo of Swartberg Secondary School securing second and third places.
The speeches were adjudicated by Malinda Booysen of Swartberg Primary School, Gerhard van Wyk of the Caledon Library and Carin Koert of MTN Caledon. Nicky Bushby, manager of Nedbank Caledon, gave the contestants sound financial advice.
Odette Weir, regional manager of Overberg Museums, said: “This year’s topics, as so eloquently conveyed by the learners, featured insight, innovation, creativity, and most of all, excitement. Congratulations to all the participants and winners.
“We are looking forward to an awesome, inspired regional competition. Let speech fill museums!”
Marlon Sauls, Education Officer of the Caledon Museum, said: “The quality of speeches from our learners improves annually, as these topics focus on the importance of museums in society, while a sense of patriotism and interest in culture and heritage is also instilled in our youth. These contests assist the learners in developing opinions based on facts, evidence and logic.”
The Caledon Museum thanked the participating schools for their support and annual participation in museum events as well as their stakeholders and the sponsors MTN Caledon, Nedbank Caledon and the Caledon Casino Hotel & Spa.
The regional gala will be held in August, followed by the provincial contest afterwards.
