New Toastmasters club set to give PMB residents a voice

A newly chartered Toastmasters club in Pietermaritzburg is aiming to help residents build confidence, strengthen communication skills and develop into more effective leaders. Time to Talk Toastmasters Club was officially chartered on June 10, becoming the latest addition to the global Toastmasters International network, which focuses on public speaking, communication and leadership development. Based at CoffeeBox at Maritzburg College, the club will meet every second Wednesday and is open to guests and prospective members interested in improving their speaking abilities in a supportive environment.

Club president Mengezi Khuzwayo said the organisation was founded by a group of young professionals seeking to improve both their personal and professional communication skills. “We are a group of young professionals who are passionate about improving our communication and leadership skills in both our professional and personal lives,” said Khuzwayo. Toastmasters allows us to do this in a safe, empowering environment.

Members participate in a structured programme that includes prepared speeches, impromptu speaking sessions, leadership projects and constructive feedback designed to build confidence and improve communication. Founded in 1924, Toastmasters International is a non-profit educational organisation with about 270 000 members in more than 14 000 clubs across 150 countries. The chartering of Time to Talk Toastmasters creates a new platform for people in Pietermaritzburg and surrounding areas to develop skills that can assist in the workplace, during interviews, public presentations and everyday interactions. The charter ceremony also included the installation of the club’s inaugural executive committee, marking the beginning of a new chapter for Time to Talk Toastmasters.