Speaking their way to success

Each year the project commences with provincial elimination contests in nine provinces, with each provincial winner proceeding to the final competition in Johannesburg.

Douglas Ramaphosa, Anglo American's executive head for public affairs, says: "The nine finalists in the 2005 Anglo American-Sowetan Young Communicators Awards represent a small number of learners with the talent for communication and passion for success."

The nine provincial finalists will compete for a place in the top three and for bursaries of R25 000 (first place), R15 000 (second place) and R10 000 (third place). Their schools will receive R7 000, R5 000 and R3 000 respectively.

Kaizer Nyatsumba, head of corporate marketing for Anglo American, says: "When the Anglo American-Sowetan Young Communicators Awards were born 12 years ago, the overall objective was to encourage proficiency in oral English among our country's high school learners by promoting the core principles of good speech-making and presentation skills.

"Over the years, the competition has matured and its objectives evolved to encompass a secondary objective - to uncover and advance young people who display outstanding leadership qualities."