Former president Nelson Mandela will meet finalists and winners of the fourth annual African Schools Debating Championship on Tuesday, his foundation said.

The finals of the week-long championship, in which South Africa beat Botswana, were held at the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg on Monday.

"The week-long competition saw top debaters from South Africa, Botswana, Nigeria, Rwanda, Angola and Kenya pitting their skills against each other," the foundation said in a statement.

"Sixteen South African top debating schools battled for the title of the best on the continent."

The foundation said a combined team of St Dominic's and Heronbridge Colleges from the Free State, emerged as the top debating school team.

"Not only does this instil democratic ideals in our students but also prepares them to lead thoughtfully," organiser Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh said in describing the importance of the debating competition.

The tournament was opened on 14 April by Reserve Bank Governor Tito Mboweni and professor Ben Turok, MP.