Young speakers convince at the Northcliff Rotary Clubs 43rd Annual Speech Competition at Trinityhouse Preparatory School
Primary school learners impressed judges and audiences alike at the Northcliff Rotary Club’s annual speech event, with diverse topics and passionate performances from talented young speakers.
The Northcliff Rotary Club proudly celebrated 43 years of promoting young public speakers with its Annual Speech Competition, held on October 24 at Trinityhouse Preparatory School in Randpark Ridge. Partnering with the school, the Rotary Club hosted an inspiring evening of speeches, highlighting the skills and confidence of primary school students from across the area.
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Learners from ten primary schools participated in the event: Montrose Primary, Northcliff Primary, Franklin D Roosevelt Primary, Trinityhouse Preparatory, Constantia Kloof Primary, Crawford Preparatory, The King’s College and Preparatory, Cliffview Primary, Bryandale Primary, and Blairgowrie Primary. The young speakers competed in two categories: Prepared speeches and impromptu speeches.
In the prepared speech segment, students presented various topics that captivated the audience with informative insights and engaging stories. Meanwhile, the impromptu speech category gave students just moments to gather their thoughts before speaking about their ‘Best Day Ever’, a theme that sparked touching and often humorous tales.
Uluthando Mthethwa, from The King’s College and Preparatory School, won the impromptu speech category with an enthusiastic account of his best day ever. Abhinav Renish, from Montrose Primary School, claimed second place. In the prepared speech category, Aimee Orffer, from Bryandale Primary School, was first, with Blairgowrie Primary School’s Natalia Basiewicz as runner-up.
The King’s College and Preparatory School won the trophy for best overall school, adding to the celebration of an evening full of memorable speeches.
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For the first time, the competition also included the Muzza Prize, an award for the student showing outstanding determination and effort. This year’s Muzza Prize went to Khanya Nkomo from Northcliff Primary School, who impressed the judges with his spirited story of captaining his rugby team.
The Northcliff Rotary Club entrusted the judging to three experts: Lilian Weide, a member of Toastmasters, and long-serving teachers Ulrike Hill and Sam Brown. The judges praised the high standard of the speeches, with Weide encouraging the young speakers to continue developing their public speaking skills, saying, “Those who can speak, influence. Those who can influence, change lives.”
With the energy and excitement that filled the room, the event highlighted the bright futures of these young speakers, inspiring both the students and the audience. The Rotary Club’s dedication to this event reflects its commitment to nurturing future leaders in the community.
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