On 5 September, the University of Pretoria (UP) hosted the highly anticipated Public Speaking Championships Finale. Organized by Elevate Africa Academy, this year’s event focused on the theme of sustainability, aligning with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The event provided an opportunity for talented students to showcase their public speaking skills, advocating for a better, more sustainable future.
According to Elma Akob, CEO and founder of Elevate Africa, this year’s theme was chosen to reflect the urgency of sustainability. “We wanted to inspire discussions around sustainability, not just as a global goal, but as a personal commitment to change in our daily lives,” said Akob. The event allowed speakers to address a variety of topics, including coffee culture, soul, what happens when the Boks lose, ancestral land, love, and stan culture, highlighting the diverse perspectives of the participants.
Jordan Chaya, a BSc in Agricultural Economics student, and the winner of this year’s championship expressed her gratitude for making it so far in the competition. She shared her passion for sustainability through her daily life as a barista, Chaya said that “Encouraging customers to bring their own cups is a small action, but it makes a significant difference in reducing waste,” highlighting that sustainability is not just a topic for her, it is a way of life. Another finalist, Shamiso Chamisa, also shared her appreciation, stating that reaching this stage was an achievement.
The event had bold and confident speakers, each expressing their ideas through both words and creative props, making the competition engaging and impactful. Posters promoting the event were displayed throughout the UP campus, and social media campaigns were used to boost participation, ensuring maximum engagement from the student body. While in previous years participants were adhering to specific themes in their attire, this year’s finalists were given more freedom, allowing them to express themselves through their words, fashion, and delivery.
With the continued support of the UP community, Elevate Africa Academy hopes to expand the platform, encouraging more students to use public speaking as a tool for advocacy and change. Akob highlighted the importance of this skill by saying, “Public speaking can inspire action, and we are seeing students taking their first steps toward becoming leaders for a sustainable future.”