A team of three students from the University of Fort Hare’s (UFH) Department of Animal and Pasture Science emerged as winners of the national debate competition at the 55th South African Society for Animal Science (SASAS) Congress.
Held from 8 to 10 July 2025 in Limpopo, the congress, themed “Thriving in Diverse Environments: Optimized Innovations and Resilience in Livestock-Wildlife Interactions,” was co-hosted by the University of Limpopo, the University of Venda, and the Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
The UFH debate team, known as the “Ruminant Rebels,” comprised Sinovuyo Luphuzo (first-year MSc student), along with Tembelihle Tukula and Azasakhe Skolpati, who are final-year BSc students.
The Journey
Sharing the trio’s journey to victory, Ms Ntokozo Happy Msiza, UFH Pasture Science lecturer said it began in June with preliminary rounds conducted online where they competed against teams from other universities. These included the University of Stellenbosch, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Tshwane University of Technology, University of Limpopo, University of Zululand, North-West University, and University of Venda.
Each debate featured two teams, one arguing for and one against the motion. The debate topics explored key issues in modern agriculture, including the role of nutritional strategies, genetic modification, and artificial intelligence in climate-smart farming. Other topics included the impact of biotechnology on traditional practices, precision livestock farming, lab-grown meat, and animal welfare. Semi-final rounds focused on the importance of indigenous breeds, selective breeding for resilience, and the viability of game farming in addressing food insecurity.
The Final Leg
At the finals, held during the congress, the Ruminant Rebels faced North-West University’s Purple Army Team on the motion:
“Given the current status of foot-and-mouth disease in South Africa, should a compulsory nationwide vaccination programme be implemented to safeguard animal health and restore international export potential?”
Victory
Opposing the motion, the UFH team successfully defended their position with compelling, evidence-based arguments.
Speaking on behalf of the team, Ms Luphuzo said: “With this victory we are even more confident about the future, knowing that the knowledge and skills we are gaining at UFH empower and prepare us to contribute meaningfully to the agricultural sector, both locally and globally.”
Ms Msiza said the win is a remarkable milestone for UFH. “The platform allowed our students to demonstrate their knowledge, critical thinking, and public speaking skills while engaging with real agricultural issues and policy debates.”
“Through such opportunities, our students can assert their voices as future leaders in the agricultural sector. This achievement highlights the university’s commitment to developing excellent, articulate, and industry-relevant graduates.”