Stimulus Debating Union

There is a reservoir of articulate and thoughtful people in Hermanus with strong opinions on many topics who are rarely asked to express or debate those opinions. The SDU hopes to tap into that resource by organising regular well-controlled debates for the benefit of the participants and the general public.
High school students may benefit from attending these debates, and may be invited to compete against other schools using this SDU mechanism.

The SDU will be strictly non-partisan, and will not favour any political party, religion, gender, age group or race group.

The SDU will be privately run and managed by interested members of the community elected to a managing body. Using this website the SDU will register individual members and teams. They will recover hall hire and catering costs by charging for most classes of membership.

The SDU committee will maintain an ongoing  list of topics, which can be added to on the website. 

Individuals, schools and community bodies will register teams of 3 members. A team will select a topic it wishes to debate and challenge other teams to take them on. When a challenge is accepted the debate will be added to the debate schedule maintained by the SDU committee. This schedule will be sent to all registered teams and members regularly, and will appear on the website. 

The committee will arrange a venue and facilities for debates on the schedule.  Results will be regularly posted on the website and via Telegram and whatsapp groups.

If you are have any questions, please contact a member of our current steering committee:

Trevor Watkins                   083 4411 721            base37@gmail.com

Felicity Steenkamp            082 492 0329            fsra61017@gmail.com

Corniel Calitz                      074 259 5017           corniel.calitz@gmail.com

Links to relevant SDU pages

SDU Member Registration Form 

Team registration form 

New topic suggestions

Schedule and Topics 

Stimulus debating union motivation

Description

Debating is a structured, formal discussion or contest of ideas where opposing sides (affirmative/pro and negative/con) present arguments for or against a specific topic, known as a motion. The  aim is to persuade a judge or audience through logical reasoning, evidence, and rhetoric. It develops critical thinking, communication, and research skills in the process. It's more than just arguing; it's about testing ideas, understanding different perspectives, and improving public speaking. 

Skills Developed

• Critical Thinking: Analyzing complex issues and constructing logical arguments.

• Research: Gathering factual information to support claims.

• Communication: Speaking clearly, persuasively, and adapting arguments.

• Persuasion: Using rhetoric and evidence to influence others.

• Active Listening: Understanding opposing viewpoints to formulate effective rebuttals.

Marketing

Are you an articulate and intelligent speaker with strong opinions living in or near Hermanus? Would you enjoy participating in monthly well-structured debates with your fellow citizens?  The Stimulus Debating Union plans to run Oxford Union style debates on a range of topics, just for the fun of it. Contact Trevor Watkins on 083 4411 721 for more details, or join our whatsapp group 

SDU Principles

Non- partisan: the SDU does not favour any political party, religion, gender, age group or race group. No activism of any sort.

Freedom of speech: The SDU supports freedom of speech. With the exception of hate speech, any topic may be discussed.

Decorum: A debate is a serious occasion. All competitors will dress appropriately and avoid rude behaviour.  No personal or ad hominem remarks will be permitted.

SDU Structure

The SDU is a privately run association active in and around Hermanus and the Overberg. It consists of a committee composed of interested persons- 

Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Logistics

Membership Fee structure

Free

Receive Whatsapp and email notices, pay R50 at door to attend debates, cannot register teams

Student - R50pa

Receive Whatsapp and email notices, free debate attendance, can register teams and suggest topics

Affiliate - R100pa

Receive whatsapp and email notices, free debate attendance, can register teams and suggest topics

Fellow -  R400 one time payment

Receive whatsapp and email notices, free debate attendance, can register teams and suggest topics

Unregistered persons pay R50 entrance fee per debate.

Please pay fees to
Individualist Movement
Capitec Bank - account 2005 117 176

Team registration

Individual registered members may register a team of  3 members to compete in debates for a 1-time payment of R150 per team. Each team will pick a debate topic from the supplied list. Other teams may then choose to engage with that team on that topic.

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Debate topics

The SDU committee maintains a list of approved topics.

1. Individual vs community

2. Feminisation is a good thing

3. Is AI useful?

4. Was Ukraine invasion justified

5. Is Trump right?

6. Cape independence

7. Privatise municipalities

8. Covid 

9. Net zero

10. Capitalism vs socialism

11. Gender change

12. Abortion

13. Capital punishment

14. Wealth is evil

15. Paid according to need or ability

16. De Mond caravan park future

17. Gaza

18. Professional organisations (SAICA, SAMA)

Link to new topic proposals 

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Rules of debate

1. Debates will be conducted in English, unless both participating teams agree on Afrikaans.

2. A debate consists of 2 teams of 3 people and a moderator.

3. The SDU committee will be present at each debate and will rule on any interpretation of these rules. Their decision is final.

4. A schedule of debates, teams and topics will be drawn up by the SDU committee and circulated to all registered teams. Where a team is unable to keep to its scheduled date, it is up to the defaulting team to reschedule a date acceptable to both teams within 2 weeks of the original date, or suffer a forfeit.

5. Debates will consist of 2 tables each with 3 chairs at the front of the audience or on a stage. By tradition the pro team is on the right facing the audience and the con team is on the left, with the moderator sitting at a table in the middle. 

6. As audience members arrive at the door they are each given a folded slip of paper, either blank or marked with a “J”. A jury of up to 7 audience members are chosen randomly in this way. During tea-time this jury will discuss the arguments from both teams and select a winner by simple majority. 

7. The moderator is provided by the SDU committee. The moderator’s role is

   1.  to tally the pro and con votes from the audience before the debate starts (entry poll) and at the end after tea (exit poll)

   2. to manage the sequence and timing of speakers, 

   3. to manage the audience open session

   4. to handle audience questions and to deal with objections and points of order

   5. to announce the results of the entry and exit polls

   6. to announce the winning team based on the jury result

   7. to thank all concerned for their attendance and to close the debate.

   8. Each debating team consists of a first speaker, a second speaker and a third speaker. 

      1. The pro team first speaker starts and speaks for 8 - 10 minutes. 

      2. The con team first speaker replies for 8 - 10 minutes. 

      3. The pro team second speaker speaks for 6 - 8 minutes followed by 

      4. the con team speaker for 6 - 8 minutes.

      5. Audience members are invited to speak for or against the motion for a maximum of 1 minute each, for a period of 20 minutes.

      6. The 3rd speaker for the con team summarises their position, and addresses any questions raised for 6 minutes, 

      7. followed finally  by the 3rd speaker for the pro position for 6 minutes.