Jacaranda are French drama champions

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lantyre-based Jacaranda School for Orphans on Saturday emerged winners of the 33rd edition of the National French Drama Contest at Likuni Boys Secondary School Hall in Lilongwe.

They dislodged last year’s winners, Marymount Secondary School of Mzuzu who emerged runners-up while the hosts, Likuni Boys came third.

Kaseghe, Zomba Catholic, Marist and Robert Blake were the other contestants  in the competition where schools created plays under the theme ‘La Lutte Contre la Pauvrete` (the fight against poverty).

In the individual awards, Munaf Ibrahim of Jacaranda emerged best actor while Tamanda Mkhaya of Kaseghe Girls Secondary School in Karonga was best actress and Moses Nyirenda of Likuni Boys was best male French speaker and Sandra Chilimani of Jacaranda was best female French speaker.

They went away with bicycles, among other prizes.

One of the judges, actress and film maker Joyce Chavula hailed the competition as one of the best organised secondary school drama contests.

She said as judges, they were looking at adherence to theme, use of language, the costume and props.

“Although some schools misunderstood the theme, the performances were topnotch, showing they were all prepared for the grand finale,” she said.

Contest coordinator Poya Chapweteka shared her view, saying groups were prepared.

“It was great having the contest in Lilongwe after so many years in Blantyre,” he added.

Honorary French consul Luc Deschamps said  the contest is organised to promote French.