Young Voices Rise! SpeakStars Academy Celebrated Future Leaders
Thabo Motlhabi
Excitement filled the room this past Saturday, on 25th April 2026, as Speakingdom, with its programme of SpeakStars, proudly hosted its Level One Public Speaking Graduation Ceremony across its Pretoria and Randburg campuses.
Led by CEO Mrs Mahlodi Kgatle, in partnership with Speakingdom, the event celebrated a powerful milestone for young learners aged 7 to 17 who are already finding their voices and stepping into leadership.
The ceremony brought together key stakeholders, creating a vibrant and supportive atmosphere for the young graduates:
*CO. Spaces Entrepreneur Village
*Speakingdom team
*Media Coverage by Nee Films
The ceremony aimed to celebrate the achievements of young learners who completed the foundational public speaking programme. The initiative focuses on empowering youth by building self-confidence, enhancing communication skills, and preparing them to express themselves effectively in public spaces. Through the programme, learners begin developing into confident speakers at an early age, equipped with leadership abilities, strong communication techniques, and self-belief.
Speaking at the event, Mrs Kgatle highlighted the significance of the milestone:
“For many of our learners, it was their very first time delivering a speech in front of a live audience. We don’t actively think about it until it’s too late, but our ability to express ourselves confidently and coherently impacts the level of our growth and access to opportunities later in life. I’m proud of our young speakers for reaching this milestone and proving to us that nothing can stop the potential of a dedicated and determined young person who finally discovers their voice.”
The programme caters to learners aged 7 to 17 years, focusing on unlocking communication skills and mastering the art of effective expression in serious environments. During the ceremony, participants confidently delivered speeches before a full audience, demonstrating remarkable growth and early signs of leadership and excellence.
As Program Administrator, Mr Thato Kgatle also shared insights on the importance of early communication training:
“I believe this training is a crucial life skill. Many of us professionals only learnt the importance of effective communications when we were already knee-deep into our roles at work. We discovered that we need to invest in how we show up in each room. The speakers are being equipped with those tools now; some of them are as young as 7 years old. Imagine where they will be in 20 years’ time! far ahead of their peers, irrespective of the industry or professions they pursue.”
Building Confidence for Life
The young speakers programme is designed to do more than teach public speaking; it nurtures confidence, leadership, and self-belief from an early age. Learners are equipped with tools that many discover much later in their professional journey.
Proud Moments for Families and Community
The ceremony concluded on a high note, with each learner receiving a certificate of completion, a symbol of their hard work, courage, and growth. Proud families and community members cheered as the graduates took their first steps towards becoming confident communicators and future leaders.
As the applause echoed through the venue, one thing was clear: the future is bright, and those young voices are ready to be heard.