Emalahleni branch of toastmasters officially launched

Anglo American Thermal Coal, through its Greenside Operation, has launched the eMalahleni branch of Toastmasters International to help young professionals improve their public-speaking skills.

Toastmasters is a world leader in communication and leadership development with 280 000 members from 13 500 clubs in 116 countries. Its learn-by-doing workshop gives participants the opportunity to hone their public-speaking and leadership skills in a no-pressure environment.

“Public speaking is a life skill that not many people get to learn, which is unfortunate as it contributes significantly towards academic and career development. We encourage members of the eMalahleni community to participate, at no cost to themselves,” said Greenside human resources manager Claire Logan-Delagey. Anglo American will cover all costs associated with the running of the club.

Greenside believes that educators can make a major contribution to community development, and has therefore specifically encouraged local teachers to get involved.

“It would be wonderful for them to acquire these skills and then transfer their knowledge to their learners,” said Logan-Delagey.

Toastmasters’ introduction to eMalahleni was the brainchild of mining professional-in-training Lawrence Webster, who believes that it is the ideal training ground for young professionals who, through the medium of presentations, are called upon to demonstrate their abilities.

“Toastmasters boosts confidence because it enables people to clearly and effectively communicate thoughts, messages and concepts in front of an audience. It gives them the chance to acquire and sharpen skills which can prove to be very useful in the workplace,” he said.

Greenside operations general manager Frank Glaeser added that management is enthusiastic about the initiative.

“The establishment of the club not only benefits young talent at Greenside, but interested parties from our sister mines as well as members of our host communities. Through the Toastmasters programme, we wish to invest in young and dynamic leaders who will become the voices of change, ambassadors of freedom of speech and thought, and representatives of those silenced by varied circumstances.

“We therefore look forward to providing a platform for young people to express their thoughts, and find their public voices and opinions to impact real and lasting changes for their communities.”

Meetings are held from 17:30 and 19:30 every second Thursday at Thermal Coal’s Science, Career Guidance and Information Communication Technology Centre in the Matimba Village.

Participants will have an opportunity to learn how to give prepared speeches and presentations, deliver impromptu talks on assigned topics, conduct meetings and develop skills related to timekeeping and grammar.