BOTEA2017-CC2 Speech by Viola Lutara

BOTEA 2017

It has been said that many people miss to seize opportunity because “it knocks on the door dressed in overalls and gum boots”, therefore it looks like work.

The opportunity to join Toastmasters presented itself on 10th march when my friend invited me for meeting where she was presenting her maiden speech at a club that trains ordinary people to become extraordinary leaders and normal everyday speakers to excellent communicators.

Once I got there I realized that this is what I had been looking for all along to improve my skills. As I continued attending the meetings I got to know that there was to be a regional speech contest in a few months’ time. This was called “The best of toastmasters east Africa” (BOTEA) and it was slated to take place in Kigali, Rwanda from the 23rd to 24th June.

There and then I made up my mind that I needed to be in Kigali for BOTEA in whatever capacity!

Photo by Serukwaya. Viola Lutara on right, Christine Nabiryo on left.

My experience from BOTEA taught me three things:

1. You should not fear to venture into new things because you never know what you can do till you try it out. (It is only those who get out of the boat who walk on water)

Most of the speakers told us about how they overcame the trepidation of public speaking and venturing into the competitions. They narrated to us the journey they went through to become winners in their spheres of influence. How the once shy people became eloquent speakers with verve, charisma, charm and wit.

While others were calm, cool and collected…others were loud and boisterous and others engaged in theatricals.

We were encouraged to “face our giants”

2.  As a country, we Ugandans need to pull up or socks in all areas of life and also open up more Toastmasters and Gavel Clubs in our colleges and Universities if we are to compete favorably with the rest of the region.

Out of a total of 34 competitors there were only five (5) Ugandans. Therefore, we were out competed though our speakers represented us ably.

The first round of speeches was held in three different rooms with 11 competitors each. For purposes of transparency each of them picked a ballot paper to determine the order in which they would speak.

4 contestants were then picked from each of the three rooms and 12 members went into the second round.

I am glad to report that though we were outnumbered 2 of our very own out of the 5 made it to the second round.

After another round of engaging speeches 2 Kenyans and 3 Rwandans made it to the finals…unfortunately none of them being a Ugandan.

The finalists were then required to give impromptu speeches on a topic which they had not prepared for…

“The joys of a pit latrine” …. while some speakers grasped it and nailed the topic on the head…. others were totally caught off guard and lost.

At the end of the day Kenya took the first and second positions while Rwanda took the third.

3. There is hope for Africa in the young people.

Apart from the toastmaster’s competitors we also witnessed the finals of the Gavel Club competitions. Gavel clubs are those ones in High schools and Universities. A total of 5 finalists wowed us with Stellar speeches ranging from …. humanity….to love….and death.

They took our emotions on a roller coaster. Up and down.

One moment we were laughing and the next we were crying…

We went from joy to sadness and back.

They were passionate…they were prepared and informed…

The topics were engaging…. the diction rich and the gramma could not be faulted.

At the end of it all they got a standing ovation.

To me…. this was the highlight of the event.

The competitions ended after a total of 52 speeches had been presented. Each participant had the opportunity of listening to over 40 stellar speeches presented by people of all ages and backgrounds.

What these people had in common was that they “stepped out of the boat” and:” faced their giants”

Are you willing to face yours?

The other Countries have very many Toastmasters and Gavel clubs thus were able to field in more speakers…. are we ready to be the champions and sponsors of more clubs and to invite and encourage more people to join toastmasters?

Are we ready to mentor and invest in the young people?

This speech by Viola Lutara, who is an executive committee member of Kampala Toastmasters Club, was delivered at Bukoto Toastmasters Club. We meet every first Tuesday of the month at Alliance Francaise, from 6pm. (Soon locating to our new premises).
Follow us on Twitter @BukotoTM1.