Denis Goldberg on the importance of news

Prof Denis Goldberg provided a moving keynote address at the 2014 SAIIA/Caltex Interschool Quiz, recalling his time in prison as a leading member of the anti-apartheid struggle. “For sixteen years we were not allowed access to news of any kind,” he told learners. “We had such a hunger for it. That the South African Institute of International Affairs encourages schools and learners to read about the world – I think that’s marvellous.”

Prof Goldberg was speaking at the 22nd annual Caltex/SAIIA Interschool Quiz, held on 26 March 2014 at Bishops Diocesan College in Rondebosch. He received a standing ovation from learners, all of whom were all born after 1994.

A record number of 55 high schools from the Western Cape province participated in the Quiz.

The 220 learners participating answered a series challenging questions on international affairs, focusing in particular on South Africa’s relations with the rest of the world. Learners prepared by reading the Cape Times for two weeks in March, copies of which were generously donated by the paper to participating schools.

More on this topic:

Click here to find out more about the annual Caltex/SAIIA interschool quiz.

The views expressed in this multimedia are those of the author/s and do not necessarily reflect the views of the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA).

28 Mar 2014

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