The Importance of Debating.
The cornerstone of all functioning democracies is the ability of its citizens to engage in critical analysis; to conceive, articulate and defend rational, reasoned arguments based on compelling evidence. Debating equips young people with the skills to analyse important issues, get to grips with complex material and formulate an argument which they are then able to put across persuasively. Key to this is the development of debaters' confidence, poise and communication skills, as well as their ability to respond to rebuttal and defend their point of view. These tools are essential to become active participants in society, and help students to obtain employment or further education.
Our Legacy.
Our vision and mission are born out of the ideals and values of Tore Eikeland. Tore was a passionate speaker and youth activist in Norway, concerned with social and developmental issues at home and in Africa. In 2011, Tore was tragically killed in the massacre on the island of Utøya in Norway. In Tore’s short life he played a part in national and international politics far beyond his years. We aim to give his ideas a voice and to enact the life-changing vision he has left behind.
Our Team.
Dr Samantha Kriger (PhD) – Director of Curriculum Development
Sam grew up in Athlone in the Cape Flats and completed her studies at the University of Cape Town and Stellenbosch University. She is currently a lecturer in the Faculty of Education at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South Africa. She has been actively involved with teaching in schools for 27 years. Her research and practice includes teacher education, teaching practice within the South African school context and educational inequality within schools.
Miche Cornelius – Operations Manager
Miche is a dedicated and accomplished individual who has been involved with Tore’s Foundation for many years; first, as a beneficiary of the debating programme and subsequently as a facilitator as a way of giving back, before being appointed operations manager in January 2024. Miche is also a final year law student at the University of Western Cape. Given her background and experience, Miche understands the impact of the Foundation's programmes and brings a unique perspective to the Foundation’s work. Miche is committed to its mission of empowering youth through debate.
Our Team is assisted by a group of trained facilitators who run the debating programme in selected schools and assist with the debating competitions.
Our Patron.
Jonathan Jansen
Jonathan Jansen is a distinguished Professor of Education at the University of Stellenbosch, having served for many years as the Vice Chancellor of the University of the Free State, South Africa. He grew up in Steenberg and Retreat. Professor Jansen has a formidable reputation for transformation and a deep commitment to reconciliation in communities living with the heritage of apartheid. He is a renowned author, holds an impressive collection of degrees and has spent his career in university teaching, leadership, and focussing on improving schools.
Our Ambassadors.
Mark Smith
Mark is Director of the Stellenbosch Business School, Cape Town. He is a former Faculty Dean & Professor of Human Resource Management at Grenoble Ecole de Management (France). His research interests focus on gender equality, young people and labour market policy. He has authored or co-authored over fifty books and publishes regularly in the media.
Professor Linda Ronnie
Linda is an Associate Professor at the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business and was formerly Dean of the Faculty of Commerce. She has a wealth of experience in the charity sector and is committed to making an impact in the communities in which Tore’s Foundation works through her mentoring skills and network.
Lady Sawers
Married to a British diplomat, Shelley has been posted with him to South Africa and to the USA where he was the British Ambassador at the UN. Shelley has been involved in numerous social enterprises.
Robert Eikeland
Robert is Tore’s elder brother and represents the Eikeland family on the board. Active politically, he serves as a councillor for his home island of Osterøy, Norway.
Mike Abel
Mike is Co-Founder and CEO of M&C Saatchi Abel Group and former COO of Ogilvy SA. He has written extensively on careers, leadership, values and the need for trust and empowerment in order to direct the efforts of young people to realise their ambitions.
Our Trustees.
Amanda Slowe
Amanda set up Tore’s Foundation in South Africa in 2017. Having practised as a lawyer in London for 25 years she left legal practice in 2009 and subsequently established various pro-bono and human rights programmes in Ghana and South Africa. Born and educated in Johannesburg, through Tore's Foundation she has built a platform to channel her passion into working with and empowering young South Africans from disadvantaged communities.
Marlene Snell
After practising as a commercial disputes lawyer in Singapore and London for many years, Marlene decided to join Amanda - her former professional colleague - in the development and management of Tore’s Foundation in 2017. A keen debater at school and in college, she grew up in Singapore, in a socially and politically engaged family with a strong focus on the power of a good all-round education. The ethos of Tore’s Foundation is therefore one that is close to her heart.
Dr Armand Bam
Armand is Head of Social Impact and a member of the Management Committee at the Stellenbosch Business School. His professional interests include inclusion and workplace diversity, non-profit management and leadership and social impact education. Armand grew up in Grassy Park and has over two decades experience in the non-profit sector in various capacities. He holds a PhD in Business Administration from the University of Cape Town.
We are grateful for the contribution and commitment
of our generous supporters and partners.
Kavli Trust
The Kavli Trust owns Norway’s Kavli Food Group, and all profits which are not required for their management and continued business development, are distributed by the trust for humanitarian causes, research and culture. Charitable works are not simply part of its business, but its entire purpose. Tore’s Foundation is immensely grateful to the Kavli Trust for its generous support in our early years and, without whom, it would not have been possible to be now making such a significant difference to the lives and aspirations of our students, instilling in them the democratic values espoused by Tore Eikeland and the Kavli Trust.
Stellenbosch Business School
We are very proud to be selected as partners by Stellenbosch Business School as part of their Social Impact Programme. They define social impact as: The evaluable change in outcomes caused directly or indirectly by Stellenbosch Business School, intended or otherwise, over a measured period of time.
Being selected as partner is, therefore, a huge vote of confidence in and support for what Tore’s Foundation does and what it is seeking to achieve. As their head of social impact, Dr Armand Bam has said:
