Youth crowned best speaker

MBOMBELA – Saturday saw the emergence of a budding future leader, as Nolwazi Hlabane of Acek Academy was crowned Mpumalanga’s best speaker at the Anglo American Young Communicator Ambassadors (YCA) provincial awards.
Sponsored by Anglo American and presented in partnership with the Department of Basic Education and media partner, Sowetan, the YCA programme is a public speaking competition aimed at grade 11 and 12 learners who do not speak English as a first language.
Hlabane will represent Mpumalanga at the 2013 YCA national finals in September after she left the crowd and the judges in awe by demonstrating her natural inclination for public speaking through an insightful and thought-provoking speech.

Well on the road to the national finals, this emerging public speaker displayed all the skills required to excel in the competition. She will now have the opportunity to compete in the nationals where the winner will walk away with a substantial amount towards his/her first year of tertiary studies.
She notes that participating in the YCA has not just provided her with an invaluable experience, it has also helped her realise her strengths and weakness.

“I would like to thank Anglo American’s ongoing support, Sowetan’s exposure and the Department of Basic Education’s platform. This has been a very insightful journey and I’m truly grateful.
“It took dedication and long hours of preparation to be crowned as Mpumalanga’s best orator. I am truly delighted and looking forward to showing the rest of the finalists what has been cooked in the Mpumalanga pot,” she said.
She received R1 000 for winning the provincial contest, and stands a chance of winning R60 000 at the national finals towards her tertiary studies. A R10 000 prize-money will go towards her school.
Anglo American executive director in South Africa, Ms Khanyisile Kweyama, notes that the YCA provides young people with a crucial advantage in their life paths.

“Communication skills are the cornerstone of success in the working world and they equip young people with the confidence to handle a variety of situations, both professionally and personally.
“It is for this reason that Anglo American has proudly supported the Young Communicator Ambassadors for so many years, as the competition unearths a wealth of talent each year, and provides young people with the necessary communication tools that will help them make their voices heard in today’s society.
“We, therefore, extend our congratulations to Nolwazi for being named the Mpumalanga Young Communicator Ambassadors winner.

Undoubtedly, she will fully utilise the knowledge and experience she has gained from the competition to become a bright future leader who forges a prosperous and meaningful career, making a real difference in the lives of others,” she said.