About the Union
Who
we are
diverse people unite
The University of Stellenbosch Debating Union is where students come to argue well about politics, philosophy, economics, culture and everything between. We are a competitive society with a public purpose: making Stellenbosch a place where hard questions are argued in the open.
What we do
Eight ways in
pick one, or all of them
Weekly debating
British Parliamentary rooms every week, open to everyone.
Tournaments
Regional IVs, SAUDC, and international championships.
Public debates
Recorded debates on the questions the campus is arguing about.
Training
A novice programme that assumes you've never debated.
Adjudication
Judge training, feedback skills and a path to tournament panels.
Schools outreach
Coaching and judging for schools across the Boland.
Coaching
Alumni and senior debaters coaching squads before tournaments.
Social events
The argument doesn't stop when the round does.
Our philosophy
What we believe
- 1
Critical thinking
Take ideas apart carefully, especially your own.
- 2
Persuasion
Being right isn't enough. Make the room understand why.
- 3
Intellectual openness
Argue the side you're given, and learn what the other side sees.
- 4
Respectful disagreement
Attack arguments, never people. Shake hands after.
History
On the record
never delete history just because leadership changes