Mowat Park pupil toasts to top spot in Toastmasters
I'm aware of who I am and what I'm destined to become.
THE school year ended on a high note for Mowat Park pupil, Olwethu Shangase who topped the International KZN Toastmaster finals on Saturday, 3 December.
The straight-A student and aspiring orthopaedic surgeon said winning the competition was the highlight of her year. “I’m a huge fan of Idols SA and I told myself if Noma can win Idols, I can win this competition. Her success gave me the confidence and the platform to aim for best,” said Shangase. She went on and won first place in prepared speech for her powerful speech entitled ‘I am an African, an African woman in the making’.
Her winning speech was inspired by her rolemodels – her mother and grandmother who have instilled in her a strong female presence. “As I mentioned in my speech, African girls are raised to be severely independent, I know my grandmother always told me a degree will always be yours but a man will do as he pleases. She also taught me to grab every opportunity with both hands and that’s what I have done,” she added.
Her speech encourages people to walk the journey of self-discovery as it is essential to know oneself. “We are constantly surrounded by negativity and a false love for materialism when we lack the ability of self-worth and discovering our true selves. I took up Toastmasters to do just that and through my life experiences and from not having everything spoon-fed to me, I grew up to be independent and aware of who I am and what I’m destined to become. So I urge others to wake up and realise their potential, become more self-aware and surround yourself with positivity,” said the grade 11 pupil.
Shangase thanked everyone who played a role in her life for always supporting and believing in her.
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