A Night of Laughter, Learning and Legacy – PSASA Cape Chapter’s May Meetup
Written by Alex Pryor
On Monday, 19 May, the PSASA Cape Chapter came alive with a buzzing room full of energy, ideas, and some seriously good vibes. We had a full house with over 20 attendees (including six new faces, welcome, newcomers! 👋)! Seeing the growing numbers at each gathering proved once again why this community is such a magnet for professional speakers and aspiring voices alike.
We kicked things off the best way possible: with food! Dinner gave everyone a chance to catch up, share stories, and make our guests feel welcome. There’s something special about networking over food, and Monday night didn’t disappoint.
The formal part of the evening starting with mic handed to our MC for the evening, none other than Christopher Fry, Cape Chapter President from the legendary pandemic year of 2020. True to form, Christopher brought his signature style: a warm welcome, a few eye-rolling dad jokes (we groaned, we laughed, we loved it), and a light-hearted energy that set the tone for the night.
He then welcomed this year’s Chapter President, Marlene McConnell. Marlene officially opened the evening in true PSASA welcoming fashion. Special mentions went out to a lineup of past chapter leaders: Christopher himself (2020), the dynamic Charlotte Kemp (GSF Past President and former Cape Chapter head), leadership trailblazer Claudio Chisté (2023), and the insightful Marriet Visser (2024). We were also lucky to be joined by none other than former PSASA President Bruce Wade, and speaking royalty Richard Mulvey, who holds not one, but two Hall of Fame awards (Educators and PSA). Oh, and let’s not forget this year’s Speaker Factor champ, Viv Vermaak.
The talent in the room? Off the charts.
With the room amped and ready, Christopher introduced our first speaker of the night, all the way from the Netherlands. On the big screen we welcomed Holland Chapter President, expat South African, and two-time TEDx speaker, Eksteen De Waal.
And wow. Eksteen delivered.
With the room hanging on his every word, Eksteen unpacked the ins and outs of becoming a TEDx speaker. From the (surprisingly competitive) application process to crafting your talk, standing in the tiniest of spotlight circles, and navigating what happens after the applause. He gave us the full inside scoop.
A few golden nuggets?
- First, not everyone’s talk makes it to the TED website; it’s a curated selection and only the best of the night gets uploaded. (Wait, TEDx is a competition?! Mind = blown.)
- Second, you’re basically locked in place while delivering your 8-12 minute talk. No roaming the stage, no dramatic pacing. Add a mic in one hand, a clicker in the other, and suddenly you realize just how much we rely on body language to tell a story.
Eksteen’s clever workaround? He kept things simple: just one slide. And how did he cue it up? By taking off his shirt. Smooth. Memorable. Genius. And don’t worry, he was wearing a t-shirt underneath.
He left us with a powerful reminder: TEDx isn’t for everyone – but if it is for you, make it count. And yes, he’s ready to do it all again.
After a short breather (networking, refills and some quick note taking), we launched into our second session, hosted by none other than Charlotte Kemp: former Cape Chapter president and immediate past GSF president.
Charlotte’s session was equal parts informative and entertaining. She dove into speaker protocols, award pathways, and how to elevate your presence on and off the stage. But the best moment was a 3-minute roleplay of a formal board meeting run under Robert Rules. Who is Robert? We don’t know, but he sure knows how to run a meeting.
One of her key takeaways?
- Your bio ≠ your intro. When you’re being introduced at an event, don’t just copy-paste your speaker summary. Send a short, punchy, tailored intro to the host. Something that makes you sound awesome and helps set the stage (pun intended) for your talk.
We wrapped up the evening with big smiles, full notebooks, and, of course, the famous Cape Chapter group selfie. As always expertly snapped by the brilliant Kyle Jantjies. (Seriously, how does he always get everyone in frame?)
If Monday night was your first taste of the PSASA Cape Chapter, we hope you left inspired. If you’ve been with us a while, you already know: this is more than just a monthly meeting. It’s a space to grow, connect, share, and celebrate the art and craft of speaking.
So whether you’re a seasoned keynote pro, a passionate trainer, or just starting out and wondering if your story matters? It does. And we’ve got a seat at the table (and dinner!) waiting for you.
Mark your calendars for next month, 23 June 2025, and if you haven’t yet, follow us on socials, share the love and invite a friend.
Want to know more about the Professional Speakers Association of Southern Africa or how to join the Cape Chapter? Drop us a message or check out PSA Southern Africa
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