Purposeful & Welcoming Connection: A Recap of the PSASA KZN Chapter June
2025 Meeting
Written by Kerry Jones (Member)
Tuesday, 3 June, marked yet another inspiring gathering hosted by the KZN Chapter of the Professional Speakers Association of Southern Africa (PSASA) at the aha Gateway Hotel. From the vibrant buzz of welcoming first-time visitors to the warm connection with familiar faces, it was an impactful night imbued with expectant energy and authentic connection. With the theme of ‘Master Your Voice – Command your value’, it continued to sparkle with numerous pearls of wisdom offered by our two speakers. We were delighted with the number of new visitors among the 20 attendees. The spark is there – KZN is on fire to thrive!
Holding Space & Setting the Tone: MC Member Raksha Mahabeer
The tone for the evening was masterfully set by our Master of Ceremonies, Raksha Mahabeer, who fully embodied her philosophy of mindfulness as she gathered us all in to share the magic – the magic of being seen and heard and warmly invited into, not just another meeting, but a rich experience. Her energy and enthusiasm were palpable, nudging us to think deeply with thought-provoking questions after each piece and keeping us hanging on for the next valuable piece – doing what good MCs do best – keeping us on purpose and target and all with a brilliant sense of flow.
Presidential Welcome & Engagement
Our Chapter President, Colleen Wilson, welcomed new visitors, returning guests and members with her signature warmth and grounded-ness. She engaged members to share about their experiences of what PSASA engagement had offered them. The result was a resounding tribute to the value of PSASA membership and connection. Colleen’s passion for all things PSASA shines brightly in her professional leadership of this Chapter, and her vision and commitment to building a strong community are evidenced by the meaningful connections she cultivates during pre- and post-meeting networking times.
Guest Speaker 1: Heather Flack of Flair Accounting: Profit on Purpose
Heather took the stage and, from the get-go, empowered us through the lens of her financial clarity. She certainly achieved her desired outcome of making finances less scary! Heather encouraged ‘profit on purpose’ and shared eight insightful points on her learnings around success from a financial perspective.
Key takeaways from Heather’s talk:
● At the end of the day, life is about people – engage with the person over the organisation
● Helpful analogies:
1.understand what track you are on to determine your most suitable financial ‘vehicle’
2.see your budget as an important dashboard dial – get clear and differentiate needs and wants
● Don’t skip the paperwork – for organisational peace and accessing finances
Heather encouraged us to manage our money in a way that supports our growth, whether speaking is a side-hustle, an aspiration or a reality. We were left with food for thought and with the inspiring injunction to ‘stop running from finances and start dancing with them!’
Member Speaker 2: Kavesan Pillay: How to be an MVP Speaker
Next up was esteemed member, Kavesan Pillay, an international award-winning voice artist, actor and brand communication specialist. In his inimitable, engaging style, Kavesan shared his valuable MVP framework (Movement, Voice & Presence). What a wonderful blend of practical tips and insights, masterfully spattered with interactive participation to keep us all on the ball and embody the science of this craft!
Golden nuggets from Kavesan’s talk:
● MVP – just put something out there – your Minimum Viable Product – the market will give you feedback – you can always re-iterate! ● the #1 reason speakers lose their audience – they put perfection over connection
● BLT (no, not a sandwich!) A useful Speaker Communication Tool – Body Language & Tone make up 93% of impact, words sit at just 7%!
● Movement – be intentional, Voice – watch how you say it, Presence – be in the moment
●WOW, talk about an incisive close-out question! ‘What would happen if I spoke like the best version of me?’
While Kavesan brands himself as ‘a big mouth with an even bigger vision’ those who’ve met him would surely add ‘with an even bigger heart’ for this man epitomises a passion for service to help others grow in this wonderful craft that he’s clearly mastered, of using one’s voice for impact.
Community & Connection
The room, as always, was a-buzz with conversation, laughter and connection. It was a wonderful thing to witness everyone engaging, from first timers to long-standing members. What a privilege to be included in a testimony of how a new member had experienced a significant boost in confidence and belief in their speaking ability by being part of this incredible community. Yes, an overwhelming sense of like-minded people aspiring to be more and do more, together…
What’s Next?
Mark your calendars for next month, July 1, 2025, and if you haven’t already, follow us on social media, share the gift, and invite a friend. Look out for upcoming newsletters for announcements about July’s not-to-be-missed Chapter Meeting and other national PSASA events.
We’re excited that this isn’t just another monthly meeting – it’s a wave to get behind and be experienced! You can be sure that your voice will be heard and honed, your skills sharpened and your dreams and aspirations clarified, validated and given wings, if you so desire.
We welcome all voices here at PSASA KZN; both the experienced and the aspiring find a home to hone their speaking craft. As a community, let’s grow ourselves and give generously.
Ready to join us officially? Visit https://www.psasouthernafrica.co.za/
