Upfront withRefilwe Moloto

Grade 7 pupil, Debbie Dolamo has gone viral after delivering a powerful speech on the value of respecting your teachers and those around you.

The young girl from Khindlimukani Junior Secondary School was speaking to her peers during assembly as part of a school's programme which encourages pupils to motivate one another in speech.

In the clip she speaks of the need to surround yourself with the right people and the importance of education.

Speaking to Azania Mosaka , Dolamo shared more on the programme and what inspired her speech.

The programme helps learners to motivate other learners and helps build their self-esteem and self-confidence so it is a very good programme. Our principal gave me the topic of respect.

— Debbie Dolamo

When I got home, I asked myself, what can I say? I told myself I am going to say what comes out of my heart. I did not write it down.

— Debbie Dolamo

Principal at Khindlimukani Junior Secondary School Isaac Madumi says the initiative started in 2015 when he realised the importance of giving learners a space to vocalise their thoughts.

I started this programme whereby I used to go class by class, I give them a topic and a chance to do their research a week before they give the speech in assembly.

— Isaac Madumi, Principal - Khindlimukani Junior Secondary School

Our children are performing very well in terms of speech and they can communicate because we have already eradicated that spirit of fear, we have dealt with the spirit of fear. We don't go for the learners who are good, I give every learner a chance to express themselves.

— Isaac Madumi, Principal - Khindlimukani Junior Secondary School

Click on the link below to hear more from Dolamo and Madumi....

This article first appeared on 702 : [LISTEN] #GoodNewsThursdays: Grade 7 pupil delivers moving speech on respect