Organisers happy with campus debate

InSite, the student body that organised Monday's debate among the four party leaders on campus, yesterday described the event as highly successful because it managed to rouse interest and generate enthusiasm amongst the student body.

It said it did not hold itself responsible for the rowdy behaviour of segments of the crowd and such behaviour was not indicative of the entire student population.

InSite also specified that there was no "manoeuvring" on its part and that it retained an independent and balanced stand.

"As a student organisation, we have all been overwhelmed by the massive turnout, particularly rare for any event held on campus, and are pleased at having sparked off so much debate and interest in University students, so often condemned as being apathetic and severely lacking in terms of pro-activism," it said.

"We gave students a debate which the media said was turned into a rally.

This shows a lack of exposure to a debating culture. InSite believes that its event was a sterling occasion for the start of a new mentality as regards political campaigning. It had the four party leaders together for possibly the only time during this campaign. The interest this generated is indicative as to the need for more of this kind of events. In addition, the timed system has given all the speakers an equal share of the time to answer questions, which is also a first."

The organisation thanked the four party leaders for attending and for respecting the format of the debate at all times. It also thanked all those who helped make the event possible.