Written by Kerry Jones
PSASA KZN Chapter Meeting – Tuesday, 7 July 2026
The Professional Speakers Association of Southern Africa (PSASA) KZN Chapter gathered at the beautiful Mount Edgecombe Country Club on Tuesday, 7 July for another memorable evening of learning, inspiration and meaningful connection.
With an impressive 34 registrations, including 15 first-time visitors, there was a tangible sense of excitement and anticipation as speakers, business owners and aspiring professionals came together around the evening’s theme, “The Value of Your Voice.” Throughout the evening, one message became abundantly clear: our voice is far more than something we use to communicate – (it is one of our greatest assets for creating impact, influence and lasting value.
A Warm Welcome & Exciting Chapter Updates
Chapter President Colleen Wilson opened the meeting with her trademark warmth and enthusiasm, welcoming members and guests while highlighting the exceptional value of PSASA membership. Her passion for building a thriving speaking community continues to cultivate an environment where both experienced professionals and emerging speakers feel encouraged, supported and inspired to grow.
Convention Convenor Brenden Cavanagh then shared exciting updates about the upcoming PSASA Annual Convention, which returns to KwaZulu-Natal for the first time since 2012. His enthusiasm was contagious as he spoke about the Chapter’s commitment to giving delegates and speakers (international & from South Africa) a memorable KZN welcome and an outstanding convention experience.
Setting the Tone
Master of Ceremonies Raksha Mahabeer once again demonstrated why she is such an exceptional host. Through a thoughtful grounding exercise, she invited everyone to become fully present, opening both hearts and minds to receive the evening’s learning. Her calm presence, seamless transitions and engaging style created a welcoming atmosphere that carried beautifully throughout the programme.
Speaker Factor Showcase
Adding to the evening’s inspiration was Trishann Govender, one of this year’s Speaker Factor finalists (KZN), who delivered her compelling five-minute presentation, “Happy Inside, Exceptional Outside.” Her authentic and heartfelt message reminded us that genuine success begins within. It was a powerful demonstration of the calibre of emerging talent being nurtured within PSASA and a wonderful reminder that authentic stories continue to resonate most deeply with audiences.
Member Speaker: Briony Bosse – The Currency of Authenticity
Briony, business and brand management consultant, challenged conventional thinking with her thought-provoking presentation on Authenticity. In a world that often rewards titles, status and possessions, Briony invited us to consider a different measure of success. While the “old currency” focuses on what we accumulate – our qualifications, titles and material achievements, the “new currency” centres on who we are, the energy we bring, the time we invest and the authenticity with which we show up.
Among her memorable insights were:
- Authenticity requires the courage to remain true to yourself, even when performance is rewarded over presence.
- Your greatest asset is not what you own, but who you are.
- Presence, integrity and genuine human connection create lasting influence.
She concluded with a statement that lingered long after her presentation had ended:
“Titles may open doors, but authenticity keeps them open.”
Guest Speaker: Dr Billy Selekane CSP & internationally acclaimed Keynote Speaker
The highlight of the evening was the keynote Monetise Your Message delivered by PSASA Association President Dr Billy Selekane CSP, whose presentation provided an inspiring roadmap for transforming expertise into sustainable business success.
Drawing from decades of experience as a professional speaker, entrepreneur and leader, Billy challenged attendees to think beyond the keynote stage and begin building businesses around their intellectual property, frameworks and influence.
His practical model for success combined four essential elements:
- Thought Leadership
- Strategic Positioning
- Client Acquisition Systems
- Revenue Architecture
Billy encouraged speakers to intentionally develop signature frameworks that distinguish their message in the marketplace while creating multiple income streams that extend their impact beyond speaking engagements.
Using memorable stories and engaging analogies, including the difference between hunting for opportunities versus farming relationships, he reinforced the importance of consistency, long-term thinking and the Law of Reciprocity in building a sustainable speaking business.
His presentation left attendees inspired to think bigger, serve more intentionally and recognise the true value of their expertise.
Building Community Through Conversation
As the evening drew to a close, MC Raksha once again demonstrated the power of thoughtful facilitation by inviting everyone to introduce themselves in just 30 seconds, sharing their name, business and where their voice creates value.
The exercise sparked genuine conversation, meaningful networking and deeper connection among members and visitors alike. The room buzzed with energy as ideas were exchanged, relationships formed and opportunities discovered – a fitting conclusion to an evening centred on the remarkable value each person’s unique voice brings to the world.
Looking Ahead
Our sincere thanks go to every member, visitor, volunteer and speaker who contributed to making the July Chapter Meeting such a memorable success.
If this evening reinforced anything, it is that every voice carries value. Whether you are refining your first presentation or building an international speaking business, PSASA KZN continues to offer a supportive community where speakers can learn, grow, connect and thrive together.
Be sure to join us for our next Chapter Meeting on Tuesday, 4 August 2026. We look forward to welcoming returning members, new visitors and anyone ready to discover the power and the value, of their voice.
