Dalweide Primary Young Orators Shine in Stellenbosch: Three Learners Advance to WOW Public Speaking Finals

The halls of Dalweide Primary School in Paarl are buzzing with pride following the outstanding performance of three Grade 7 learners at the recent Words Open Worlds (WOW) Public Speaking League competition held in Stellenbosch.

On Tuesday, 1 September 2026, primary school speakers from five schools gathered in Stellenbosch to demonstrate their public speaking skills. Competing in a field of 31 participants, Leighton Davids, Micheala Hendricks, and Tarin Smith from Dalweide Primary secured places in the Top 10. Their achievement earns them a spot in the prestigious WOW Public Speaking Festival, set to take place on 8 October 2026 during the annual Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees.

The WOW project, an empowerment initiative hosted by Stellenbosch University, aims to foster language development, critical thinking, and public speaking confidence among school learners. For this year’s competition, participants were tasked with developing compelling speeches centered around the theme: "High Time" ("Hoogtyd").

Dedication and Preparation

For Mrs. Tasmine Smith, Departmental Head for Afrikaans Home Language (Grades 4–7) at Dalweide Primary, this triumph reflects months of structured preparation and perseverance. This marks her first year coordinating the school's WOW Public Speaking project. "As Departmental Head, I continuously register our learners for enrichment programs and competitions to provide them with constructive exposure and practical experience," explained Mrs. Smith.

The preparation process was rigorous. Mrs. Smith guided the learners through topic development based on the theme "High Time", speech drafting, proofreading, and structuring reference lists. To combat stage fright and build public confidence, learners rehearsed their presentations repeatedly during breaks, after school, and in front of various classrooms. "I provided guidance on vocal modulation, transitional phrasing between arguments, and overall delivery. Rehearsing in front of different classes helped immensely. On the day of the event, the learners were calm, comfortable, and confident. They truly upheld Dalweide’s reputation," said Mrs. Smith.

Nerves and Triumph

Despite the polished performances, awaiting the competition results proved nerve-wracking for the mentorship team, as the Top 10 announcement was scheduled for the following day. "I was extremely nervous on the day and even after they finished speaking," Mrs. Smith recalled. "Even though I knew how hard we worked and how well they presented, there were 31 strong speakers competing for only 10 spots."

The experience proved transformative for the participating learners. Leighton Davids, one of the top achievers, shared his perspective: "At the start, when I had to deliver the speech, I didn't know what to do, but Mrs. Smith gave me guidance and after that I was more relaxed. When I heard I made the top 10, I was very excited and grateful."

Leadership and Community Support

This milestone highlights the role of dedicated educators and school leadership in providing opportunities for working-class youth. Mrs. Smith expressed gratitude toward the administration at Dalweide Primary for their institutional backing. "The Acting Principal, Mrs. G. Daniels, and the Deputy Principal, Mrs. D. Moses, are always supportive of the projects I lead. I am deeply thankful for their guidance and continued support."

Preparations are now underway for the final round at the WOW Public Speaking Festival in Stellenbosch on 8 October. The Drakenstein community extends its full support to Leighton, Micheala, and Tarin as they prepare to take the stage once again.