On 4 October 2025, the Elevate Africa Academy hosted its highly anticipated 4th Annual University Public Speaking Event. The energy in the room was electric as the event opened with a vibrant, standing-ovation performance by the Respublica Choir. From musical mainspring to meaningful messages, the stage transformed into a platform for young African voices to speak with courage, clarity, and conviction.

This year’s event featured six of the university’s most prestigious public speakers, alongside two promising high school students from Crownfield High School. Each of these young leaders took to the stage not only to compete, but to inspire, by addressing neglected social issues, sharing personal insights, and envisioning a better Africa.

Who and What is Elevate Africa?

Elevate Africa is more than an academy, it is a leadership movement, founded by Elma Akob, a passionate advocate for youth development and the advancement of African consciousness, the academy equips young Africans with masterly public speaking skills.

PDBY spoke to Akob, who noted that these programmes are offered free of charge to university students and also equip high school learners with proficient speaking skills before entering tertiary education and the workspace. Akob says that what inspired her to launch the initiative was the realisation of how many doors public speaking opened in her own life, varying from job interviews to opportunities of national representation. However, she also observed that many young Africans lacked this essential skill, partly due to cultural norms that discouraged speaking in the presence of elders, she says. She expressed that the purpose of the academy is ‘giving the voice back to Africans” and “transforming how Africans respond to problems.” At its core, Elevate Africa aims to rebuild the image of African identity by nurturing eloquent, confident, and impactful communicators, a new generation of speakers who will stand tall, speak up and inject African perspectives and developmental approaches into mainstream global discourse.

UP’s Best Public Speakers

This year’s competition featured six university speakers between the ages of 18 and 21. The panel of esteemed judges included:

  • Jordan Chaya: 2024 Winner and TEDx Speaker
  • Cynthia Chigwenya: TEDx Speaker, MIPAD Global 100: Politics and Governance
  • Kamagano Sethono:  Network Coordinator, SDSN Youth South Africa
  • Boipelo Mooketsi: Five FM Radio Speaker
  • Ismail Joosub: Constitutional Lawyer, Manager of Constitutional Advancement of the F. W. De Klerk foundation, Co-Chairperson of the Public Mobilisation Subcommittee of the National Dialogue

Let us take a closer look at the outstanding young voices who lit up the stage and shifted mindsets in the audience:

1.Micaela Gota

Micaela, a final-year LLB student at the University of Pretoria and BA Law graduate, spoke on The Transformation of the African Mind. After attending last year’s event as a spectator, she immediately knew she wanted to be on that stage. “I wanted to refine my public speaking skills and get back out there,” she shared. Through this experience, she discovered the value of speaking with substance and researching solutions to real problems. “This helped me stop being afraid to try and just put myself out there to have fun.” Gota spoke on reigniting African pride, independence and consciousness in an occidental-centric world through building African institutions up not only practically, but mentally as well.

  1. Tshegofatso Moseki

Tshegofatso spoke on The Injustice in Society. With passion and clarity, she challenged the audience to reflect on the systems of gender inequality that continue to proliferate gender-based violence and silence women across Africa. Her powerful voice and emotional rawness reminded everyone that public speaking can be a tool for truth and justice. However, she stresses that although much is said, much more can be done.

  1. Lufezo Tafane

Lufezo, an LLB student, spoke on The Transformative Power of Storytelling. He highlighted the deep cultural, emotional and historical power that storytelling holds within African societies. His performance inspired the audience to use stories to connect, educate, and empower future generations. He emphasised that storytelling is one of the most influential mediums to impact people and calls for reinvestment into the arts and media, as he delineates that media is a dynamic tool that we could use to educate people on societal issues.

  1. Preshalia Naidoo

Preshalia spoke on The Only Drug That Will Transform Your Entire Life. Her speech delivered a creative and insightful perspective on how self-discipline, commitment, and belief in oneself the most transformative forces are available to young people today. She says that a call to action is needed in policymaking, education and businesses to reinstate the values of self-discipline and development.

  1. Bongeka Disane

Bongeka spoke on Talk is Free, Transformation is Not. A final-year LLB student, entrepreneur, and MC, Bongeka described herself as “a lady that wears many hats.” Initially hesitant to join the competition, she eventually pushed past her insecurities and decided to go for it. Through Elevate Africa, she refined her presence, learning how to use the stage effectively and pause for impact. Her courage and commanding message earned her first place in the competition. Disane stressed that the youth has misplaced priorities and thus a redirection of energy into being loud and visible is how we institute change.

  1. Annie-Marie Luhembe

Annie-Marie spoke on African Giants. Her rousing performance urged young Africans to reclaim their identity, potential, and greatness. With boldness and pride, she reminded the audience that the future belongs to those who dare to believe in their power. Luhembe reiterated that there is already an array of entrepreneurship and independence in Africa, however due to ignorance and lack of visibility, our successful African giants have been overlooked. Luhembe urges us to invest in local business or simply choose to purchase locally, and it makes all the difference.

And the Winners were as follows:

Tshegofatso Moseki took the award for the most improved speaker, whilst the rest of the winning results were as follows:

In third place: Lufezo Tafane

In second place: Micaela Gota

And in first place: Bongeka Disane

Bongeka shared a powerful message with her fellow students:

“Recognise your voice. Recognise small, unofficial opportunities to use your voice. You do not have to be perfect to be a public speaker.”

A Call to Speak Up

Judge Ismail Joosub observes that “to create solutions for the future, that talent, that innate, inherent talent of being able to express yourself courageously and confidently must be honoured, Founder Elma Akob is one of the people doing God’s work by helping young people climb out of their shell, so that they sit in committees and talk, yes, but also cocreate the solutions that South Africa so desperately needs for the future.”

Judge Kamagano Sethono reported that, “Public speaking is a platform of people voicing out their solutions, their frustrations, their questions to society, the government, powers and authorities. So being here is to see the improvement of young people, to see what they are doing and also to show support.”

Judge Boipelo Mooketsi reflects, “Everyone collectively said things that are meaningful, things that are purposeful, things that are powerful. It made me realise that young people are the future leaders. That top six are going to lead us one day. They are the people with ideas. They’re going to shift the needle. They’re going to be trailblazers, just based on what I heard here today. The future of South Africa is in good hands, if our leaders and political systems really made space for us.”

Winner of Elevate Africa Public speaking competition Bongeka Disane leaves aspiring speakers with a final word of encouragement:

“Do it. It is like learning how to swim, you cannot stare at the water from a distance; you have to get in. Put your hand up in class. Push yourself to answer a question. Just do it, even if you are shy, even if you are soft-spoken, just do it.”

At Elevate Africa, public speaking is not about perfection. It is about purpose. The academy is raising a new generation of Africans who will speak boldly, lead wisely, and inspire change. Whether on a stage or in a classroom, your voice matters, and Africa is ready to hear it.

Lutricia Phiri and Milan Govender

Originally posted on the PDBY website: Elevate Africa Academy: Let’s Talk Transformation!