Coach Itu Academy

History was made.

Over 200 learners.
10+ schools.
One mission: to build thinkers, speakers, and leaders.

The Soweto Debate Academy (SODA) officially launched on 24 January 2026 at Seanamarena High School, Mapetla.

This is only the beginning.

🎥 Full video dropping Friday at 15:00
📍 Next session: This Saturday — schools are invited to sign up

[DELAYED POST]

THE WAIT WAS WORTH IT! THE SOWETO DEBATE ACADEMY (SODA) 2026 LAUNCH WAS ELECTRIFYING! 🚀

We unleashed the ultimate intellectual revolution in Soweto, and it was EPIC! 🔥 We opened the doors to the SODA Class of 2026, and the response was OVERWHELMING! SOWETO DEBATE ACADEMY IS THE CIA’s FLAGSHIP OUTREACH, TARGETING THE TOWNSHIP’S BRIGHTEST MINDS!

We called on the brightest, boldest, and most ambitious learners to join, and we’re thrilled to announce that our ELITE LEADERSHIP INCUBATOR is ready to transform lives! 💪

Over 200 high-potential learners will be part of this life-changing experience for the academic year 2026!🌟

🔹 LAUNCH EVENT:
- *Date:* Saturday, 24 January 2026
- *Location:* Seanamarena High School, Mapetla

Don’t let your school or child miss this opportunity to become a powerhouse communicator and global leader! 🚀

*Partners:* Maponya Foundation, Rebel Africa, &

Want to join the movement? Comment below or DM us to secure your spot or support this initiative! 💬

https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/65652/in-debate-club-teens-are-learning-the-skills-adults-may-have-forgotten?fbclid=IwZnRzaAQA-MJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeeSgXY95zqkZTU1vVUsmdmmpWwN5eSSNqyCy5anj_OtcG2JLFqs4MCbaW5vE_aem_bNMSJxXG1f3PUhx6p55n7A

In Debate Club, Teens Are Learning the Skills Adults May Have Forgotten | KQED High school debate clubs are teaching students how to stay calm under pressure, think critically, and engage in civil discourse skills.

🚨 Exciting news! 🚨
We’ve extended the deadline to show your interest in our upcoming world-class tournaments 🌍✨

📍 Harvard Open – 7 November 2025
📍 ESDC (Eurasian Schools Debating Championship) – 1 November 2025
📍 Singapore Open – 15 November 2025

Don’t miss your chance to be part of the global stage — where the world’s best debaters meet, clash, and grow through the art of oratory 🗣🔥

👀 Stay tuned…

🌍✈️ Get ready to fly high with the eagles! 🦅 The world stage is calling — a global debating tour is on the horizon, where cultures, ideas, and voices collide in the art of oratory. Stay tuned. 🗣🔥

EAGLES SOAR 🦅🔥

At the GSDB Junior Provincials 2025, our teams flew high:
• SMS31314 (13th)
• Trinity Vortex (16th)
• St Andrew’s Vhager (8th)
• St Andrew’s Balerion (9th)
• SMS101 (25th)
• Sandton City / La Masia (28th)

💡 Trinity Trailblazers also stand ready as reserve team #1 👀

Special shoutout to our Provincial Trialists:
✨ Laila Bhagwan (SMS31314)
✨ Nomsa Phiri (Trinity Vortex)

Your wings are proof of what the Eagles can achieve. Applications are open — we encourage ALL Eagles to step forward and claim their place.

What a weekend for the Eagles at the GSDB Senior Provincials 2025! 🦅

💥 Breaking Teams:
• Trinity Ronin (2nd, 5 wins)
• SMS31314 (3rd, 5 wins, just 0.25 behind)
• St Andrew’s Finale (4th, 5 wins)
• Reddam Gold (6th, 5 wins, 8 points shy of auto-qual)
• Reddam Blue (26th, 3 wins)
• St Stithians Girls (12th, 4 wins – 100% break record)
• St Andrew’s Dracarys (19th, 4 wins, 12 ballots)

7 of 24 breaking teams carried our banner — dominance confirmed ✅

💥 SODA: Ranked 50th and still outperformed former provincial champions. Proof that impact beats history.

💥 Eagles Named to Provincial Team Trialists:
Lucy Blades & Jemma Tresling (St Mary’s Waverley)
Lesego Manchidi & Matthew Kaizer (Trinityhouse Glenvista)
Ropafadzo Chakeza (St Andrew’s Girls)
Yuvika Chetty (Reddam House Waterfall)

🔥 Juniors — the standard has been set. Your turn this weekend. Motivation or warning? Maybe both. 😉

The Coach Itu Academy, mandated by the Department of Basic Education and the Department of Sports, Arts & Culture, has taken 4 speakers to the International Children’s Cultural Forum in Moscow, Russia, taking place from 21 to 23 August 2025.

The International Children’s Cultural Forum provides a unique opportunity for talented children and teenagers from Russia and other countries to get acquainted with the global
accomplishments in the field of culture and art.

The Forum unites young participants striving to grow and evolve in diverse creative spheres. It is an interesting and informative meeting with governmental and public figures, cultural activists, famous educators, where one can discuss contemporary trends in cultural development and personal opportunities for creative realization.

This year, we are proud to be represented by Cameron Gaddin, Matthew Kayser Tshegofatso Molepo and Tshepiso Polo. They are accompanied by our Head of Operations, Coach Kamo Manthata and the Department of Sports, Arts & Culture Chief Director.

🏆 ATHENEUM DOMINANCE. 🏆

From juniors to seniors, from north to central — the Coach Itu Academy showed up and showed out at the most recent Atheneum, claiming top spots across the board and placing at least one speaker in the Top 10 of every region and division. 💥

🔥 Highlights from our trailblazers:
⭐ Nomsa Phiri – 1st Central Juniors (Trinity House Glenvista)
⭐ Matthew Kaizer – 1st Central Seniors (Trinity House Glenvista)
⭐ Samantha Clarke – Joint 1st Sunday Juniors (St Andrew’s School for Girls)
⭐ Lehakoe Hlalela – 1st North Juniors (Crawford International Sandton)
⭐ Rey Popat & Phila Mashilo – Joint 1st Primary (The Ridge School)

📍Over 70% of the Central Tab (both junior & senior) was dominated by Academy speakers.

This isn’t just a win — it’s a statement. 💼🔥
Proud is an understatement. Onwards, upwards, and always excellent.