The West Rand Toastmasters celebrated women and their achievements through their Women’s Day meeting on 6 August.
Thato Majela, the club’s president, called the Zoom meeting to order before handing over to Glen Campbell (Vice President Public Relations) who made a heartfelt speech based on the iconic war cry, “Strike a woman and you strike a rock!”
Glen concluded her speech by proposing a toast to the women of South Africa before the two prepared speeches were presented. Tebogo Majokana, a visiting Toastmaster from the Soweto Positive Speakers Club was first, presenting an educational speech describing the Toastmasters CFR League (Club Fitness Reward League).
The speech covered how each of the 60 clubs in the District needs to submit their monthly achievements with the goal of being one of the Top 15 Toastmasters Clubs. Lynette Harris, the Immediate Past President of the club, was next to give her prepared speech entitled Growing in Your Leadership, which covered the five different leadership styles. Lynette personally relates to the Visionary Leadership Style, which involves the ability to turn a concept into reality.
Table Topics is often the most entertaining part of the evening, during which speakers are presented with random topics and are required to deliver an impromptu speech on the one they receive. One of the visitors for the evening, Nandi Motonga, took on the role of Table Topics Chair for the evening and took a novel approach to the segment by asking the speakers questions rather than providing them with topics. Michael Glencross was not only the Grammarian and Um Counter of the meeting, but he was also first to deliver his unprepared speech. Michael spoke about what he thought would happen if a woman was elected as president, saying that he thought we would most likely live in a more friendly and controlled world with less conflict.
Thato was asked what he would write about if his book needed to be based around women. He said his book would be centred around love and the nurturing nature of women, and the strength they show every day.
Lynette decided to do a second speech for the evening and spoke about women who are regarded as heroes, such as Marie Curie. The last two unprepared speeches were presented by Mampe Mosito and Glen. Mampe spoke about why the colours pink and blue are related to each gender, saying that pink represents beauty while blue represents protection. Glen closed off the speeches by explaining the differences between men and women, breaking down the saying, “Men are from Venus and women are from Mars.”
Thato then took to the stand to close off another successful West Rand Toastmasters meeting. For more information about the West Rand Toastmasters Club, contact Glen Campbell on 073 538 9560 or at glencampbell@telkomsa.net. 
