A union that seeks to produce critical thinkers and knowledgeable people.
The Nelson Mandela University Debate Union is a British Parliamentary debate society open to all students at Nelson Mandela University. We foster critical thinking, public speaking skills, and intellectual discourse through regular debates, workshops, and competitive opportunities.
Our union hosts the flagship Coastals Debate Open, Eastern Cape's premier debating tournament that attracts participants from across the region. We believe in the power of reasoned argumentation to shape better thinkers and future leaders.
Learn About CoastalsCoastals Debate Open (Coastals) is the Eastern Cape's formative debating tournament, established in 2024 by former union Chairperson Roxanne Willemse. Currently in its second edition, Coastals uses the British Parliamentary style of debating and is held annually in September/October.
Coastals has quickly become a premier event in the regional debating calendar, attracting talented debaters from across the Eastern Cape and beyond. The tournament provides a platform for developing debating skills, fostering intellectual exchange, and building a vibrant debating community.
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