KANSVATTER 2027
Your voice. Your stage. Your moment.
Welcome to KANSVATTER 2027, the public speaking competition that empowers young speakers to build their confidence, sharpen their skills and make a lasting impression on audiences.
Is this for my child?
Whether you are a beginner or an experienced speaker, this is the perfect opportunity to let your voice be heard and to be part of a competition that celebrates passion, talent and perseverance.
Speakers of all ages (Grade 1 – 12) are challenged to share their thoughts with conviction and confidence – whether it is an orator’s speech, a motivational speech, or an entertainment speech… Afrikaans or English.
With several participation options, you can enter individually, work together in a team, or test your skills with an unprepared speech. We aim to provide an honest, stimulating and fair platform where every participant gets the chance to grow and excel.
This is not just a competition – it is an opportunity to learn, to develop and to make your voice more powerful than ever!
INDIVIDUALS
Individual participation is for speakers who want to build confidence and improve their public speaking skills. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced speaker, there is a category for you.
Prepared Speeches:
Section E: Ignite! The brand-new prescribed section where only your delivery counts. The words are given. The fire is yours.
No time or stress to write a speech from scratch? Our prescribed speeches get your child behind the microphone straight away.
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SECTION A:
Inexperienced Speakers – For participants who have not yet taken part in ATKV... or in the semi-final of another national competition. -
SECTION B:
Experienced Speakers – For participants who HAVE already taken part in ATKV... or in the semi-final or final of another competition... experience at a higher level. -
SECTION C:
Persuasive Speech – an English ORATORICAL speech in which you defend a point of view and try to persuade your audience. -
SECTION D1:
Motivational Speech (Afrikaans) – This is about inspiration and encouragement. Your goal is to encourage and motivate your audience.
SECTION D2:
Motivational Speech (English) -
SECTION E:
Ignite — the prescribed section, where only delivery counts.
“The words are given. The fire is yours.”
At Ignite, delivery is an art in its own right. The participant receives a prescribed speech (one of Petrus Jacobs’s own speeches from previous years) and does not have to write it. The speaker is judged only on delivery — voice, pauses, style, eye contact and persuasion — not on content. Open to every speaker who wants to sharpen their presentation skills, from the novice to the experienced speaker. All grade groups (Gr 1–3 to Gr 10–12), in Afrikaans and English.
Read more about Ignite -
SECTION F1:
Entertainment Speech (Afrikaans) – Here you can entertain your audience with humour and creativity.
SECTION F2:
Entertainment Speech (English) -
SECTION G:
Afrikaans Additional Language – PLEASE NOTE: This section is only for NON-mother-tongue speakers who want to use Afrikaans for their public-speaking performance.
TEAMS
Together in a team, learners have the chance to deliver a strong persuasive message and learn how to work together effectively. Teams may enter in three categories:
Team Orators (Afrikaans Home Language)
3 or 4 speakers per team.
Team Orators (Afrikaans First Additional Language — FAL)
2, 3 or 4 speakers per team. The existing oratory rules still apply — the lower minimum number of speakers makes participation more accessible for FAL learners and schools.
Team Orators (English)
3 or 4 speakers per team.
Teams are divided into the following grade groups:
Grade groups for Teams:
- Gr 1 – 3
- Gr 4 – 5
- Gr 6 – 7
- Gr 8 – 9
- Gr 10 – 12
How does it work?
- Teams choose whether they want to deliver a prepared or an unprepared speech.
- Round 1 judging takes place via YouTube video LINKS that are uploaded to the KANSVATTER system for judging.
- No semi-finals for teams – top-performing teams go straight through to the National Final (date and venue to be announced soon).
UNPREPARED - Videos
STARTS IN THE THIRD TERM:
This division is for brave souls who can think fast and have nerves of steel. Participants receive their topic 60 / 120 minutes before they have to start speaking, which means you must structure and deliver your message quickly without prior preparation.
Grade groups for Unprepared:
- Gr 4 – 5
- Gr 6 – 7
- Gr 8 – 9
- Gr 10 – 12
How does it work?
- After registration, KANSVATTER will ask for your preferred date and time EARLY IN THE THIRD TERM. Only scheduling for the Unprepared section takes place via WhatsApp. Round 1 videos are submitted through the KANSVATTER system.
- Your topic will be sent to you about 10 minutes before your official start time.
- Individual speakers have 1 hour to prepare.
- Teams have 2 hours to prepare.
- After completing your speech, you upload it to YouTube and upload the link on the KANSVATTER system using a unique link that you will receive via email from KANSVATTER.
TIME LIMITS PER GRADE GROUP
1. Prepared — Individuals
| Grade group | Duration |
|---|---|
| Grade 1–3 | 2–4 minutes |
| Grade 4–5 | 3–5 minutes |
| Grade 6–7 | 4–6 minutes |
| High school (Gr 8–12) | 5–7 minutes |
Section E: Ignite has no prescribed duration.
2. Prepared — Teams
| Grade group | Afrikaans Home Language & English (3–4 speakers) | Afrikaans FAL (2–4 speakers) |
|---|---|---|
| Grade 1–3 | 8–12 minutes | 7–11 minutes |
| Grade 4–12 | 11–15 minutes | 10–14 minutes |
3. Unprepared — Individuals
| Grade group | Duration |
|---|---|
| Grade 4–12 | No minimum — no longer than 5 minutes |
4. Unprepared — Teams
| Grade group | Duration |
|---|---|
| Grade 4–12 | 6–10 minutes |
Road to the Stage
The Speaker's Journey — three clear steps from your first video to the national stage.
Video Selection (Round 1)
Comfortable and travel-free — record your video at home or at school and upload it. Every speaker receives detailed feedback to develop their talent further.
Semifinal (Video Recordings)
Stand out among the top speakers and receive detailed feedback again to sharpen your speech.
The National Grand Final
Step onto the national stage before a live audience and claim your national award.
Please note: Teams do not have a semifinal. The teams that perform best in Round 1 advance to the National Grand Final.
KANSVATTER 2027 DATES
Individuals (Prepared)
GROUP A:
Gauteng · Mpumalanga · Eastern Cape
Registration closes: 26 April 2027
Round 1 — video upload on the KV system: 8 – 22 May 2027
Semi-final — video upload on the KV system: 23 – 31 July 2027
GROUP B:
North West · Limpopo · KwaZulu-Natal
Registration closes: 3 May 2027
Round 1 — video upload on the KV system: 24 – 31 May 2027
Semi-final — video upload on the KV system: 23 – 31 July 2027
GROUP C:
Western Cape · Northern Cape · Free State
Registration closes: 2 April 2027
Round 1 — video upload on the KV system: 19 – 24 April 2027
Semi-final — video upload on the KV system: 24 – 29 May 2027
TEAMS & NATIONAL FINAL:
Round 1 — video upload on the KV system (Prepared): 20 – 28 July 2027.
National Final: date and venue to be announced soon.
THE NATIONAL FINAL
Where?
The KANSVATTER 2027 National Final is presented LIVE. Date and venue to be announced soon.
Dress code for the FINAL?
For the FINAL, speakers wear their school uniform as they represent their schools.
KANSVATTER Round 1 and Semi-final information
Round 1 as well as the Semi-final: YouTube video LINKS are uploaded on the KANSVATTER system.
PLEASE NOTE: For the 2027 Round 1 as well as the Semi-final, YouTube video LINKS are uploaded on the KANSVATTER system (NOT WhatsApp calls)
All speakers are judged by experienced and qualified adjudicators, and semi-finalists will again upload a YouTube video LINK. If you advance to the national FINAL, you will take part live at the National Final (date and venue to be announced).
REGISTRATION FEES
Individuals:
R280 per item
Teams:
R600 per team
Payment details are sent in your confirmation email, together with your KV reference.
