• Tweet

FUTURE LEADERS: Winner of the 2012 Young Communicators Award Millicent Katsane is flanked by Martin Hattingh, left, and Bonginkosi Peter. PHOTO: ANTONIO MUCHAVE

After a brilliant and eye-opening effort by these future leaders, Martin Hattingh of Kempton Park Hoërskool, Bonginkosi Peter of Penolepele Secondary School and Millicent Katsane of Riverside High School were named Gauteng's top public speakers.

Overall winner Katsane, 17, will represent her province in the finals.

Sowetan, together with Anglo American and the Department of Education, initiated the project under the leadership of the newspaper's late former editor-in-chief Aggrey Klaaste to improve communication skills, leadership development, personal growth and oral English communication among second or third-language speakers.

The competition is open to registered grade 11 and 12 pupils from recognised South African high schools who do not speak English as a first language.

Each contestant is required to present a prepared speech on a topic of their choice in front of a panel of adjudicators and an audience of fellow pupils, parents, guests and teachers.

Certain factors are considered to determine a good speech, such as: introduction, conclusion, originality, audience participation, language, grammar and pronunciation.

The pupils have only five minutes to speak. All contestants receive participation certificates and educational gift vouchers. The top three winners receive cash prizes of R1000, R800 and R500 respectively.

Grade 11 pupil Katsane delivered a hilarious and insightful speech called Life begins at 40. With most adults puzzled by how a teenager would know anything about such a topic, Katsane bravely proved her understanding by referring to her mother's 40th birthday celebration and leaving the audience's spirits lifted.

Still being embraced and bombarded with congratulations, Katsane said she had been worried about being disqualified.

"I thought I would be disqualified because of time, but I kept believing," she said.

Katsane said she thanked her school, family and God.

"Right now I need to pray and give thanks," she said.

'There were a lot of people who supported me and helped me get here."

Katsane's debate coordinator and teacher Seithathi Mathebula said: I'm very proud of her. She began preparations a year ago and it shows."

Mathebula said a pupil from the same school came out tops in last year's competition.

Katsane is also president of the Ekurhuleni junior city council.

Comments

• Sign in or sign up to comment

Sat May 18 14:00:47 SAST 2013 ::

Apr 23, 2012

nofavours

thanx dear for comenting on things that matter
Report Abuse

Apr 27, 2012

bokosigregory41

"MILLICENT together with your competitors" I am so proud very much , the content of this article effectively caught my attension to read in details. You will go far better than this, if this world could have more people like your self it could be a better place, qouting from the bottom of my heart , I wish you all best things and ""goodluck"" I am so touched.
Report Abuse

Read all 2 comments