The contest is open to participants from the ages of 15-25 to express their interest in one of the three speech topics recently unveiled by the Foundation:
• With freedom comes responsibility
• Today’s youth, tomorrow’s leaders
• We are in a race to fight racism
The closing date for expression of interest is on 8 August. The top three winners of the contest will be awarded prizes at the official speech contest on 23 August, and the top 10 finalists will also receive certificates.
Speech writers can submit their details to the foundation before August 8 and indicate a topic of their choice. A delegated committee will guide them on their understanding of each topic as well as the rules and regulations.
Busi Nkosi, programme co-ordinator at the foundation said, “If you are a speech writer or enjoy public speaking, you are eligible to apply for the contest. You don’t have to be a professional but you have to be good at standing for your chosen topic and presenting it well.”
Nkosi has worked extensively with young people through the foundation, and elaborated that the value of initiatives such as the speech contest are, “immeasurable because it is these platforms that make [youth] leadership a reality”. She said this was also an opportunity for a young person to be heard by an attentive audience.
The first prize winner will also get the coveted opportunity to give their winning speech at the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation Annual Lecture in the presence of various dignitaries. Notable guest speakers at the annual lecture have included Barbara Hogan, Bobby Godsell, Prof. Adam Habib, Trevor Manuel and Kgalema Motlante, among others.
The ultimate objective of the youth foundation is to deepen non-racialism through various programmes which are aimed at ‘helping to educate, train and develop future generations of leaders’.
Details: Busi Nkosi on 011 854 0082.
