June 14, 2006
By Emmanuel Mulaudzi
THE ability of women, the need to get fit and the meaning of names were just some of the topics tackled by the best of the country's young communicators in the finals of the Anglo-American Young Communicator of the Year competition.
Held at Ubuntu Kraal in Orlando East, Soweto, on 10 June 2006, the public speaking competition saw nine youngsters from around the country taking part, delivering both prepared and impromptu speeches.
The day kicked off with speakers like former winner, kwaito artist and TV personality Bonginkosi Dlamini – better known as Zola.
Guests included the minister of eduction, Naledi Pandor, the deputy home affairs minister, Malusi Gigaba and poet Mak Manaka.
Anglo-American's head of corporate marketing Kaizer Nyatsumba, education minister Naledi Pandor and Sowetan editor-in-chief Thabo Leshilo hand over a cheque to the winner in the 2006 young communicators awards, Asanda Shabangu
After the speakers' addresses, young communicators delivered prepared speeches on topics of their choice.
Lebaka Morolong from Aggeneys High School in the Northern Cape got audiences cheering to her "Because I am a woman" speech, in which she pleaded for recognition for South African women. Using singer Thandi Klaassen and novelist Nadine Gordimer as examples, she said the country should take more pride in their achievements.
Another highlight was a surprise announcement, in which adjudicators asked students to deliver a speech entitled "Tomorrow". Determined to impress the judges, the students came up with a surprising number of issues, debating whether one should live for the moment or plan for the future.
The speeches delivered and applauded, the judges set about the difficult task of deciding on winners. When it was announced that Asanda Shabangu from Lilyfontein College in the Eastern Cape was the top communicator, jubilant crowds ran to congratulate her.
Shabangu, who says she wants to study broadcast journalism, wins a R30 000 bursary as well as R10 000 for her school.
She spoke about the need to tell "The Truth", pointing to examples of people suffering because they did not know the truth, including the war in Iraq.
Shabangu also presented an impromptu speech on the topic "Women have the ability …". Here she called for the discarding of stereotyping, saying: "This is the time for women to prove themselves and their abilities."
Runners up were Eduan van der Westhuizen from Louis Trichardt High School in Limpopo and Feziwe Nthali from Sibusisiwe High School in Mpumalanga.
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