SOWETO Positive Speakers, an affiliate of the highly respected Toastmasters International, will hold an open public speaking workshop at the Diepkloof Community Hall at the weekend.

Former regional and provincial finalists in the Anglo American and Sowetan Young Communicators Awards Lebogang Mac Sebogodi, Lebogang Matshaba, Kgomotso Mdunge and Tshegofatso Dikhutso have featured in such workshops; seeking to nurture confidence through public speaking.

Toastmasters - a nonprofit organisation that has been developing public speaking and leadership skills through practice and feedback in local clubs since 1924 - reportedly grew from humble beginnings at the Young Men's Christian Association in Santa Ana, California.

It has become a world leader and boasts more than 260000 members in more than 12500 clubs in more than 100 countries.

At workshops, participants - who usually number about 20 people - ordinary members give prepared or impromptu speeches, while others serve as timekeepers, evaluators and or or grammarians.

Sessions have no instructor. Instead each speech and meeting is critiqued by members in a positive manner.

Sebogodi, who is one of the leaders at Soweto Positive Speakers, said they invite anyone who wished to develop or improve their leadership and communication skills, and to enhance their confidence, assertiveness, and independence to come to the workshop.

"Soweto Positive Speakers started five years ago and started operating three years ago," Sebogodi said. "Leadership and communication development through public speaking is the cornerstone of the work of Toastmasters. The lessons are invaluable."

- For more details, telephone Lebogang Sebogodi at 011- 636-6351 or 071- 509-0722 or e-mail him at lebogang.sebogodi@standardbank.co.za or visit www.sowetopositivespeakers.co.za