The Professional Speakers Association of Southern Africa celebrates careers that have shaped leadership, learning and the speaking profession.
uMhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal | 29 July 2026
Four professionals whose work has influenced business communication, leadership development and workplace learning across Southern Africa have received the highest honours awarded by the Professional Speakers Association of Southern Africa (PSASA). The honours were presented to Cobus Visser CSP (Certified Speaking Professional), Steve Johnson, Tiffany Markman and Bruce Wade during the association’s July 2026 convention in uMhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal.
Once seen primarily as conference presenters, many professional speakers now work year-round with organisations as educators, facilitators and leadership partners. The careers recognised by this year’s awards demonstrate how the profession has evolved from delivering inspirational presentations to helping businesses to solve practical communication, leadership and capability challenges.
Professional speaker, executive coach and author Cobus Visser was inducted into the Southern African Speaker Hall of Fame. Known for his work in resilience, peak performance and leadership, Visser helps organisations to develop resilient leaders and high-performing teams. His personal journey of overcoming severe haemophilia and climbing Mount Kilimanjaro on crutches has become the foundation of keynote presentations that have inspired thousands. He is also Africa’s only Certified Master Firewalking Instructor.
Steve Johnson was also inducted into the Southern African Speaker Hall of Fame. A master facilitator, executive coach and leadership consultant, Johnson has spent decades helping leaders and organisations to build purpose-driven, values-based leadership. Through his work with Sustainable African Strategies (SAS), he combines executive coaching, experiential learning and storytelling to develop leaders across Southern Africa. He is the Immediate Past President of PSASA, reflecting his contribution to the profession.
Copywriter, educator and keynote speaker Tiffany Markman has spent 20 years helping organisations to improve business communication through writing and workplace learning. She has worked with over 700 brands in 18 countries and trained over 36,000 professionals. Markman was inducted into the Southern African Educator Hall of Fame, which honours individuals who have made an enduring contribution to professional education through teaching, training and facilitation. She is one of only six women worldwide to receive this accolade.
Strategic innovation specialist, author and keynote speaker Bruce Wade received the Stef du Plessis Founder’s Award. A past President of PSASA and an inductee into the Southern African Educator Hall of Fame, Wade has spent decades developing speakers, coaching leaders and advancing strategic innovation through his consulting, writing and professional speaking. Wade has authored more than 37 books and is recognised for creating practical thinking frameworks used by organisations navigating innovation and AI-driven change.
Dr Billy Selekane CSP, National President of the PSASA and previous recipient of all three awards, said, “These honours are never awarded lightly. They recognise sustained achievement over many years and are conferred through a rigorous peer review process. This year’s recipients have made a distinct, enduring contribution to our profession.”
Arthur Goldstuck, 2026 awards convenor and previous inductee into the Speaker and Educator Halls of Fame, said: “Collectively this year’s recipients reflect the breadth of the speaking profession. Their work has influenced organisations, leaders and audiences worldwide. They also highlight the quality of professional speakers in our region.”
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About the PSASA
Founded in 2005, the Professional Speakers Association of Southern Africa (PSASA) is the regional professional association for keynote speakers, trainers and facilitators. It forms part of the Global Speakers Federation and supports professional standards, ethics and continuing development within the speaking profession.
Issued by the Professional Speakers Association of Southern Africa (PSASA) on behalf of Dr Billy Selekane CSP, National President: PSASA
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