The Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Fort Hare (UFH) marked a new chapter of academic and student engagement last Friday through its inaugural Voices and Victory event, a celebration that combined intellectual debate with the recognition of top-performing students across the Faculty.
Hosted in collaboration with the Faculty Council, the event brought together Nursing, Speech-Language Pathology, and Human Movement Science students and staff for an afternoon and lived up to its intent, bringing together vibrant voices in debate and celebrating academic excellence.
A Debate that Mattered
The highlight of the day was the Faculty’s first-ever interdepartmental debate, featuring a contest between Nursing and Speech-Language Pathology students. The motion up for deliberation was as bold as it was relevant: “Does South Africa’s healthcare system unfairly prioritise doctors over nursing and allied health professionals?”
The atmosphere was charged with anticipation as teams argued passionately before their peers, faculty members, and invited guests.
The Nursing team, who were ultimately declared winners, made a persuasive case that inequality within the health system sidelines nurses and allied professionals. They highlighted how disparities in pay, working conditions, and recognition contribute to burnout and undermine patient care. They further argued that public and media attention tends to focus more on doctors’ struggles, while similar concerns raised by nurses and allied professionals receive limited visibility.
Their opponents, the Speech-Language Pathology team, countered with a nuanced perspective. They argued that systemic underfunding, mismanagement, and resource misallocation are the true roots of inequity in healthcare. They also emphasised that differences in roles and responsibilities should not be mistaken for deliberate prioritisation. Though they did not clinch the title, their analysis and ability to situate the debate within South Africa’s broader socio-economic challenges impressed both judges and audience members.
“The debate was more than just words. It was about ideas, persuasion, and giving students the chance to critically engage with issues that affect the very system they are preparing to serve,” said Faculty Dean, Professor Liezel Cilliers.
Celebrating Excellence
The second half of Voices and Victory shifted from competition to recognition, as the Faculty honoured the top three students in each year of study across Nursing Science, Speech-Language Pathology, and Human Movement Sciences.
Senior staff presented certificates and tokens of appreciation to the high achievers, with the hall erupting into applause as each name was called. The recognition was not only a celebration of individual success but also a collective reminder of the Faculty’s commitment to academic excellence.
“For younger students, this recognition is a motivation to keep striving. For those in their final year, it is a powerful affirmation of the dedication they have shown throughout their studies,” added Prof Cilliers.
A Tradition in the Making
The success of the inaugural Voices and Victory event has set a strong foundation for what promises to become an annual highlight in the Faculty of Health Sciences calendar. By combining the sharpening of critical skills through debate with the celebration of hard-earned academic success, the UFH continues to nurture graduates who are not only knowledgeable but also confident, articulate, and ready to make a meaningful impact in the health sector.
Source: Faculty of Health Sciences
