Interview: “Look Out for Everyone” — Sakeenah Kareem, Arts L&D President
By: Abdullateef Isa
The Faculty of Arts Literary and Debating Society organised an interdepartmental oratory competition which was held on Tuesday, 24th June, 2025, at Room 32, Faculty of Arts.
The oratory competition, themed “Social Media Is Bridging the Gap Between Modernity and African Values” saw the Department of Communication and Language Arts emerge as the winner, while the Departments of English and European Studies clinched second and third places respectively. Speaking with AFAS Press, the President of the Faculty of Arts Literary and Debating Society, Sakeenah Kareem, said the competition was created to give departmental speakers a platform to showcase their speaking skills.
Today, the Faculty of Arts Literary and Debating Society (ARTS L&D) will host the grand finale of the event: The Rhetoric Rumble. In this interview, the president shares insights into the inspiration behind the event, its goals, and what the university community should expect. In this interview, she speaks on how the competition seeks to spotlight talents, deepen the culture of public speaking, and build a stronger community of articulate voices within the faculty and beyond.
What is the inspiration behind organising The Rhetoric Rumble?
The inspiration behind organising The Rhetoric Rumble is to train our members and give them the opportunity to show their talents. This is important because there are few public speaking events across the session and even if we don’t repeat speakers for any of them, there would still be a lot of members who haven’t spoken. So, this is their chance. The event is primarily for the growth of our members and our society as a whole.
What are the main goals of this event for the participants and the Faculty of Arts?
To strengthen the public speaking culture among Art LDS members. To give a chance for our members to exhibit their talents. To allow for healthy competition amongst us and other constituencies.
What activities should the university community expect on the day?
Faculty Bilaterals. Invited faculties are tech, law, education, and social sciences. Interdepartmental oratory. Rookies oratory and induction
Which speakers should students and attendees particularly look out for during the Rhetoric Rumble?
Look out for everyone. And you might your a new favourite speaker there
What advice do you give to students preparing to take part in The Rhetoric Rumble?
Give it your best. Whether or not you win, you’d have learner and grow and that’s more important
What are your hopes for the future of The Rhetoric Rumble and the Faculty of Arts L&D?
I hope that this becomes a yearly occurrence in society and that the next administration will be able to raise the bar higher than what we’re setting.
