The West Rand Toastmasters’ latest meeting was held on Saturday, 25 April, and had 27 attendees joining online. This meeting also doubled as the international S2 speech contest.

The contest chair was Tim Knights, and Oreratile Senokoane was the chief judge. Tim called the meeting to order and welcomed the attendees.
The three prepared speeches came from William Kelly who represented Florida Toastmasters Club, Philip Howes who represented Honeydew Toastmasters Club, and Thato Majela who represented West Rand Toastmasters Club.

William’s speech, titled It’s a Brave New World, was about the lockdown, and the speed and scale of economic devastation that has affected people worldwide. He said he would like the lockdown to continue, and that he saw our country with politicians’ leadership begging to emerge. He believes our situation will get worse, causing desperation and bringing out the best in humans. He concluded by saying, ”During this period, we will find our core values. We must take our first steps towards the economics of the future. The world is changing as we now lean towards a more united world.”

Phillip’s speech, Lessons from Life, outlined how life experiences can teach us a valuable lesson. He gave a vivid description of his descent into the Fish River Canyon, and the first sense of apprehension he had about going down this route. However, when he was at the bottom, he looked up and saw the Milky Way, and he wondered if there was a Master Designer who made our Earth and all its wonders. He said life is an adventure and we can make plans, but we have no idea about our futures. He concluded by saying, ”Covid-19 is an obstacle that we need to navigate. We cannot control our own lives, and we are not the masters of our souls. When life speaks, we need to listen in order to learn.”

Thato’s speech, Fear, touched on the aspects of fear and what it entails. He started by explaining the acronym for fear – False Evidence Appearing Real – and added that courage is not the absence of fear. He spoke about how he overcame his fear of heights, that was affecting his work at a chemical engineering company when he had to climb ladders to obtain various items. He met a woman who loved to bungee jump, and he plucked up the courage to take his first jump. Before taking his leap of faith he attended a motivational course, and this also inspired him. He concluded by saying, ”When I arrived at the site and read the disclaimer, I realised there was no turning back. The instructor told me not to look down, but to look up. Instead, I closed my eyes as I plunged down through the air and, as I opened them again, I realised I no longer suffered from acrophobia.”

While the judging was in progress, the speakers were asked to give some more information about themselves, and this is what they had to say:

William said he is an avid fisherman and has started fish farming. He has a degree in Chemical Engineering. Philip told the attendees that he is a pastor, and mentioned that pastors do not come to preach, but to serve. During the lockdown he delivers his sermons on audio as well as online. Thato said he has a degree in Chemical Engineering and is now an entrepreneur, promoting products for Ever Living. He added that his motto is, ‘whatever the mind of man can believe, he can achieve’.

When the judging process was concluded, the chief judge announced the winners. Second place went to Philip from Honeydew Toastmasters Club, and first place was awarded to Thato from the West Rand Toastmasters Club.

The next International Speech Contest meeting will be held for Division S on 9 May, where both Phillip and Thato will compete.

For more information about West Rand Toastmasters Club, contact Glen Campbell on 073 538 9560, or send an email to glencampbell@telkomsa.net