Book about public speaking gives five keys checklist
Struggling with speech and the English language as a Xhosa man from the Eastern Cape, Mgolozeli began using writing as a way to express himself in his high school days.
A former president of Toastmasters has shared his secrets on public speaking in his first book, which was published recently.
Dr Sibongiseni Mgolozeli’s Speech checklist: Five key components of an impactful and memorable speech helps readers address common issues with public speaking.
Mgolozeli hosted the book’s launch recently at the Ndaheni restaurant and bar in central Pretoria where he was in conversation with fellow author and doctor, Dr McLean Sibanda.
Mgolozeli grew up in the Eastern Cape before moving to Pretoria in 2012 to study for his master’s in Agriculture, specialising in soil science at the University of Pretoria (UP).
After completing his master’s, he registered for a PhD in Agriculture with Unisa in 2016 and obtained his doctorate in September 2021.
“Pretoria feels like my second home now, and I would love to get a permanent post as a lecturer at UP and spend the rest of my life here,” said Mgolozeli.
ALSO READ: This weekend we’re reading …
Mgolozeli serves as the director of Southern Africa Toastmasters’ area 4, which includes the Pretoria east area. He also served as club president and CEO for the Toastmaster Visionary Leaders, vice president of public relations as well as vice president of education for Toastmasters South Africa.
Struggling with speech and the English language as a Xhosa man from the Eastern Cape, Mgolozeli began using writing as a way to express himself in his high school days.
“It started as a letter to my bully, who made me contemplate suicide in my first week in high school. So in Grade 10, which was two years later, I wrote him a letter of forgiveness, even though he never apologized,” Mgolozeli reminisced.
The book is split into five chapters that address the characteristics of a good speech identified by Mgolozeli. Some of these include knowing your background, understanding the rhetoric, and the use of humour and body language among others.
“In the last chapter, I re-iterate the need to rehearse thoroughly and suggest a pre-performance routine that will help you manage your fear or nerves, such that you sound like a professional,” Mgolozeli said.
Mgolozeli views his past shortcomings as stepping stones that led him to be the person he is today.
Most memorable of these failings was his botched interview with the Fulbright programme while attempting to complete his PhD in America and his failed run for the UP SRC presidency. He said these were due to his inability to speak well publicly, which was used as inspiration for the book and his career and Toastmasters.
“Those experiences taught me to view failure as an event, and not as a person. They are there to teach us and prepare us for better things in life,” said Mgolozeli.
ALSO READ: Half a dozen books to consider reading this weekend
His passion for reading inspired the young doctor to create the Visionary Readers Book Club in March 2021 to change Africans’ perceptions and attitudes toward reading.
Mgolozeli is currently on a nationwide book promotion tour and hopes that readers will understand the importance of communication, reading and speaking with this book.
“The important thing is that I want people to realise the importance of communication skills, especially public speaking skills and always read, no matter what,” said Mgolozeli.
“Keep reading, and never stop until your last breath on this earth.”
For more info, visit: www.steinger23.com
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
