There has been a strong focus on attending Toastmasters at Khanyisa Real Systems (KRS) to help our staff grow their professional presentation skills. Lorraine Steyn, co-founder of Khanyisa Real Systems, is an advanced Toastmaster and has been a member of the Taverners Club for many years. We asked both Alain King, Training Manager and Architect at KRS, and Ayesha Bagus, HR Manager at KRS, to tell us about their Toastmaster journey.
This is what they had to say:
Ayesha Bagus, Member of the Cavendish Breakfast Club:
“I believe public speaking is something that doesn’t come naturally to everybody. Toastmasters is a place where I can refine my public speaking skills in an environment that was supportive and encouraging. We all come to meetings for the same reasons, and the support and encouragement we give one another binds us together. I have made friends at the club who care about my growth. Toastmaster meetings have taught me far more than simply how to improve my public speaking skills, it has helped me to understand myself better. If you want to polish your public speaking skills, hone your leadership skills and have mentors who care about your progress, I would definitely suggest finding a club close to you.”
Alain King, Member of the Kelvin Grove Club:
“Over the course of the 10 speeches that make up the Competent Communicator, I have become more confident with regards to standing up and speaking in public. The reason for this is the evaluation that occurs for each speech that you present and the focus of these evaluations is to help you grow and improve as a speaker.”
Congratulations to Alain and Ayesha for completing their CC10, and finishing off their Competent Communicator manuals.
So what exactly is Toastmasters International?
Toastmasters International is a world leader in communication and leadership development. Their membership is over 292,000 strong. These members improve their speaking and leadership skills by attending one of the 14,350 clubs in 122 countries that make up their global network of meeting locations.
How Does It Work?
A Toastmasters meeting is a learn-by-doing workshop in which participants hone their speaking and leadership skills in a no-pressure atmosphere.
There is no instructor in a Toastmasters meeting. Instead, members evaluate one another’s presentations. This feedback process is a key part of the program’s success.
Members learn communication skills by working in the Competent Communication manual, a series of 10 self-paced speaking assignments designed to instil a basic foundation in public speaking.
There are various clubs around South Africa. If you are keen to join, find a club near you, you will not regret it!