Zoya Mabuto from East London, the South African Toastmasters’ public speaking champion, will be heading to Las Vegas in August to represent the Southern African region at a world convention.
Mabuto said yesterday she joined Toastmasters in 2011 and had not looked back.
Toastmasters is an international organisation that helps members improve their speaking. Each year, the Toastmasters’ International Convention culminates with the final round of the International Speech Contest, which produces the World Champion of Public Speaking.
Mabuto said she had to go through five elimination rounds in order to qualify for the world championships.
She won the the Southern African leg, competing against 627 other contestants from nine countries and will face competitors from 89 countries in August.
She said her speech The Diviner of the Road questions the stigma around visiting traditional healers for advice.
“I tell the story of this practice and in doing so I am trying to take away the mysticism around the practice.
“I am saying we do not talk about going to sangomas, yet almost 60% of black people do consult sangomas.
“I am exploring this topic and reasons why we do and the responsibility that comes with it,” said Mabuto.
The former Clarendon Girls’ High School pupil said she realised late in life public speaking was her “calling.”
“I was in the PR industry for a while but I always felt I was not being my best, so I quit because I wanted to do something that would allow me to be great.
“I realised public speaking had always been my passion, even in high school, when I recall teachers were always saying I should pursue a career in public speaking,” she said.
She now earns a living as a professional speaker, telling stories of hope, speaking on leadership and empowering other women.
She is only the fourth woman to win the Southern African Championship.
She said whether or not she won in Las Vegas, many doors had already been opened for her. — ziphon@dispatch.co.za
Toastmaster off to Vegas
Mabuto said yesterday she joined Toastmasters in 2011 and had not looked back.
Toastmasters is an international organisation that helps members improve their speaking. Each year, the Toastmasters’ International Convention culminates with the final round of the International Speech Contest, which produces the World Champion of Public Speaking.
Mabuto said she had to go through five elimination rounds in order to qualify for the world championships.
She won the the Southern African leg, competing against 627 other contestants from nine countries and will face competitors from 89 countries in August.
She said her speech The Diviner of the Road questions the stigma around visiting traditional healers for advice.
“I tell the story of this practice and in doing so I am trying to take away the mysticism around the practice.
“I am saying we do not talk about going to sangomas, yet almost 60% of black people do consult sangomas.
“I am exploring this topic and reasons why we do and the responsibility that comes with it,” said Mabuto.
The former Clarendon Girls’ High School pupil said she realised late in life public speaking was her “calling.”
“I was in the PR industry for a while but I always felt I was not being my best, so I quit because I wanted to do something that would allow me to be great.
“I realised public speaking had always been my passion, even in high school, when I recall teachers were always saying I should pursue a career in public speaking,” she said.
She now earns a living as a professional speaker, telling stories of hope, speaking on leadership and empowering other women.
She is only the fourth woman to win the Southern African Championship.
She said whether or not she won in Las Vegas, many doors had already been opened for her. — ziphon@dispatch.co.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos