On Saturday 13 October, Ziyaad Joosab, Seluleko Sabela and Amahle Shazi took part in the Youth Leadership Toastmasters Semi Final Competition. Six other schools also took part namely Clifton, Kloof, Al Falaa, Maris Stella and Danville Girls’.
The competition has three categories: the Prepared Speech, Evaluation and Impromptu. I took part in the Prepared Speech section and the title of my speech was Music As A Tool For Social Change.
Seluleko Sabela took part in the Evaluation section where he evaluated a test speech by Colby Marais from Glenwood High which was titled Death Cure.
Ziyaad Joosab took part in the Impromtu and the topic was ‘A Guide to Texting: Teaching Your Gran How To Text.‘
All these speeches were judged by a panel of nine experienced adjudicators from different clubs of Toastmasters International.
What I learnt from this day was the fact that public speaking is more than having a piece of paper and addressing people from it. It is rather the ability to engage with every individual in a crowd.
With every single Toastmasters meeting you attend, there is always an opportunity for you to get evaluated to become a more competent speaker which is a skill everyone would need in the future.
Whether you are going for an interview, being asked to say a few words or are standing in a queue and the person in front or behind you starts a conversation, you do not look like someone who isn’t informed about matters of the day.
Interestingly, it is unprepared situations that could lend you a job opportunity or a business deal. Being able to speak with confidence or clarity could also open a number of other opportunities.
I would like to encourage as many of you as possible to consider public speaking training while you are at school. You will never regret it.
In conclusion, I would like to end with a quote by Warren Buffet,
“If you cannot communicate and talk to people to get your idea across, you have given up on your potential.”
Amahle Shazi
Grade 11