11 Dec 2017

In commemorating a 25-year period of inspiring its membership towards aspiring towards success in public speaking and leadership, Gaborone Toastmasters recently looked forward to another quarter century or more of equal success.

During the Toastmasters 25^th anniversary commemoration in Gaborone recently, the club’s president, Mr Vincent Morewang said they were from humble beginnings, but had managed to evolve into a successful movement.

“We aspire to continue with the success we have attained.  From a slow start we have gone on to become the best performing Toastmasters club in Southern Africa, winning the President’s Distinguished Award. Credit should go to the immediate past presidents of Toastmasters Gaborone, Messrs Tiro Molebatsi and Bobo Thobane for the good work they did,” Mr Morewang said.

Toastmasters International, a non profit educational organisation, whose global headquarters are based in the United States, operates clubs worldwide with the purpose of assisting members develop public speaking and leadership skills. 

Their Botswana branch, first established in Gaborone in April 1992, has led to the establishment of a total of seven clubs in the country. The national pioneers of the organisation were hailed on the night.

“We should be grateful for people who were there from the beginning, veterans like Elizabeth Lesetedi who helped developed this association that assists in personal development. Toastmasters Gaborone has over the years met at Thornhill Primary School and has contributed to building confidence in people to become more articulate,” former club president, Mr Molebatsi said.

Keynote speaker, Mr Tonderai Tsara, the managing director of leading domestic marketing agency, the Dialogue group, urged his audience to use the skills they acquire for their club to be of service to the country.

“As a country Botswana invests a lot in the development of its citizens.  We should not take for granted the free education, the affordable health care and other social amenities that are provided by the government.  We should give back to the country, by contributing meaningfully to its development,” Mr Tsara said.

Another guest speaker, Ms Tumie Ramsden gave Toastmasters tips on how to further improve their public speaking and communications skills.

“The first 30 seconds of your public presentation is very important; it is crucial that you plan for those introductory remarks that will set the tone for the rest of what you communicate to your audience.  Developing nerves ahead of a public presentation is not necessarily a bad thing; but you should use those nerves to develop the adrenaline to express yourself more eloquently,” Ms Ramsden said.

Club members who have distinguished themselves were given awards on the night, led by Mr Thato Masire and Ms Nikita Hule, who got the Triple Crown award.

Among the dignitaries who graced the event was former deputy secretary general of the Commonwealth, Ms Masekgoa Masire-Mwamba. ENDS