Add a little humour — WR Toastmasters
The West Rand Toastmasters held a humorous and impromptu speech competition.
In a small tennis club on a seemingly random Thursday night one never would expect such humour and entertainment.
On Thursday 15 August a Record journalist gathered with a group of interesting people known as the West Rand Toastmasters to commence their Humorous and Impromptu Competition.
Besides generally having an informal atmosphere and enjoying a good laugh, the West Rand Toastmasters proved that every single person is welcome and should be comfortable as they introduced guests and visitors.
Shaun Goodbrand, distinguished Toastmaster, commenced his briefing for judges and timekeepers and took his place as the chief judge. Speech contest acting chairperson was Cheron McNab, who continued to explain the events of the evening. Toastmasters work according to a set of manuals that are to be completed before they reach the next title.
On Thursday Toastmasters Max Kaan, Nathi Nala and Mra Nyo worked towards completing a humorous speech. All three these Toastmasters as well as Susan Masuku later attempted their impromptu speeches.
Interesting speeches were delivered in the humorous speech section. Nathi Nala told a somewhat twisted story of the beginning of life on earth, Max Kaan treated the audience to anecdotes of memory loss and the overall idea that ‘memory bites’. Mra Nyo was able to tell her wrong impression of life in South Africa (as an emigrant from Burma) in a humorous way with a speech The deconstruction and reconstruction of Mra Nyo. Nathi Nala took first place in the Humorous Speech competition with Max Kaan coming in at a close second.
The impromptu speech is meant to be completely unprepared, and McNab posed the same question to all four contestants, “Is there any merit for a Men’s Day?”. As expected, men agreed and women disagreed in a struggle for first place, Max Kaan being the victor. Nathi Nala took second place with a different approach, saying that “one day for women works well amongst 364 other days for men”.
After a chocolate draw was completed, each competitor received a certificate and the best speeches were awarded. The meeting was closed with a promise of yet another exciting meeting later on Thursday 5 September.
The West Rand Toastmasters regularly meet at Florida Park Tennis Club. For more information contact President Mra Nyo on 083 222 6655 or immediate past President Santie Adams on 079 509 6128.
