Cape Town – King Edward VII School has congratulated former pupil Cameron Gaddin after he was named Best African Debater at the World Schools Debating Championships, earning continental recognition on one of the world’s biggest debating stages.
Gaddin, a member of the school’s Class of 2025, received the accolade for his performance during the international competition, where he represented South Africa against top school debating teams from around the globe.
In a statement shared on social media, King Edward VII School described the achievement as “an exceptional achievement on the global stage” and praised Gaddin’s intellect, dedication and advocacy skills.
“Your success is an inspiration, and we are incredibly proud to see you representing King Edward VII School, South Africa and Africa with such distinction,” the school said.
It added that the honour was well deserved and expressed confidence in Gaddin’s future, saying, “The future is undoubtedly bright.”
The World Schools Debating Championships is regarded as the premier international debating tournament for secondary school students, bringing together national teams from across the world to compete in English-language debates.
Gaddin’s recognition as the tournament’s top African debater highlights his individual performance and places him among the continent’s leading young public speakers. His achievement also adds to South Africa’s growing reputation in international schools debating.
Earlier this year, the South African Schools Debating team profiled Gaddin on Instagram, describing the King Edward VII School learner as one of the country’s standout young debaters ahead of international competition.
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Nicknamed “The Accountant”, Gaddin was praised for his ability to “turn chaos into coherence”, dismantle opponents’ arguments and tackle complex global issues with clarity and confidence.
The profile said his extensive knowledge of principles, geopolitics and current affairs, combined with his distinctive debating style, had made him a formidable competitor. It also highlighted his role in leading training sessions on topics including sport, law and medical ethics, while balancing his academic interests with a sense of humour.
Beyond debating, Gaddin enjoys swimming, golf, playing the guitar and writing poetry. He also served as deputy head boy at King Edward VII School, where he was recognised for encouraging younger pupils and promoting leadership among his peers.
According to the profile, Gaddin’s ambitions extend beyond winning debating competitions.
“Cameron wants to win. Win Worlds, win hearts, win friendships and win memories,” the post read, describing a competitor driven by both excellence and meaningful connections.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
