Eastern Cape pupil scoops orator award

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Prince Nwadeyi, an 18-year-old matric pupil of Queens’ College Boys High School in Queenstown, scooped the Young Communicator Ambassador award hosted by Anglo American.

Nwadeyi, an avid reader of Steve Biko literature, enthralled the audience and captivated the judges before walking away with this year’s award. He proved to be the most talented of the nine finalists as he wove a spell that enchanted the audience, earning him first prize of a R65 000 tertiary bursary and a further R15 000 for his school.

Nwadeyi’s speech, Ignite showed an agility of mind and depth of thought far beyond his tender age. It was not just his ideas that swayed the judges, but the passion that he brought to his argument.

“I don’t know how I should feel,” he said after being crowned the winner. “My emotions are all over the place. I am so overwhelmed. It’s been an amazing journey and I must thank Anglo American, the Sowetan and the Department of Basic Education for this crucial platform.”

Nwadeyi hopes to pursue studies in business science, specialising in economics and law, or a BCom in law at either Wits University or the University of Cape Town. Public speaking seems to run in the family, as his sister Lovelyn, was runner-up in the same competition in 2008.

In this year’s competition, second place went to Siamkele Thompson from Northern Cape and third to Kudzai Sibanda from the Western Cape.

For the past 20 years the Young Communicator Ambassadors has helped Grade 11 and 12 pupils who do not speak English as a first language build self-confidence and communication proficiency through public speaking.