The Art of Storytelling: Finding Your Voice, Feeling Your Power
The PSASA Pretoria Chapter closed October with an unforgettable in-person session titled “The Art of Storytelling,” a vibrant and experiential exploration of the human voice, its connection to emotion, and the stories it carries.
This month, members and guests gathered to experience the work of Voice Movement Therapy Practitioner Sakkie Kloppers, whose warmth, calmness, and subtle humour set the tone for a night that was both interactive and deeply moving.
About the Session – Pleased to Meet You, I Am Your Voice!
Sakkie guided participants through the powerful connection between voice and storytelling, the twin pillars of authentic communication.
This was not a sit-back-and-listen talk. It was an invitation to feel, move, and experience. Through practical exercises, laughter, and moments of stillness, Sakkie helped the room rediscover the instrument every speaker uses daily but rarely explores in depth: their voice.
His session underscored three key aspects of voice work:
• The physical voice—developing an embodied voice through awareness and release.
• The emotional voice—understanding how feelings shape tone, delivery, and resonance.
• The empowered voice—cultivating courage, self-confidence, and authenticity through sound.
“Before the meeting, he said, ‘I am a ball of fire 🔥’—and he truly is,” Chapter President Kakanyo Pilane reflected. “Mr. Sakkie’s calmness may seem like shyness, but once he stands before an audience, he speaks flames of knowledge with heat of impact.”
Moments of Discovery and Connection
The meeting was an immersive experience that left attendees thinking not only about how they use their voices but also about what their voices reveal.
Sakkie’s reflections on how trauma, memory, and life experiences shape our voices deeply resonated. Many were surprised to learn that the voice isn’t just a tool for communication; it’s a reflection of our emotional history.
We learned how childhood traumas and life experiences shape our voices, leaving a lasting impression on us. We’ve always known that emotions can influence how we sound, but this conversation invited us to consider something deeper.
It was both unsettling and empowering to realise that many of us might not be speaking from our true, unfiltered selves. Instead, we may be echoing a voice that has been built in response to pain, survival, or silence. This raised a powerful question for our collective journey: How many of us are truly using our own voice—and how many are still speaking through the one shaped by trauma and experience?
This insight challenged us to listen more closely to others, and most importantly to ourselves, because reclaiming our voice might be the first step toward reclaiming our story.
There was laughter, learning, and a sense of liberation as participants stretched, massaged tense muscles, and explored breathing techniques.
Sakkie emphasised, “Attend to those tensions in your body. Massage your face and neck, take care of your voice, do some self-introspection, and as funny as it sounds—breathe.”
Reflections from the Room
“I really enjoyed the interactivity and would love to have more of that in Chapter meetings! I’m also keen for sessions on sales, marketing, and speaking business finance management.” – Marie le Roux
“It was my first time attending a Chapter event as a new member, and I loved both the quality of the speaker and the warm welcome from everyone.”- Claire de Muelenaere
“My takeaway was the physical feeling of strength needed to push forward—especially when surrounded by people who encourage you. The self-reflection and voice warm-ups were incredibly empowering.” – Anonymous
“Thank you, PSASA PTA Chapter, for this awesome session with Sakkie. Very insightful. I learned so much about the voice that I didn’t know before. Thank you for continually investing in our growth.” – Nhlanhla Mabuza
Final Reflections
The October meeting reminded us that storytelling is not just about the words we choose—it’s about the voice that carries them.
Through his practical and heart-centred approach, Sakkie Kloppers helped every attendee reconnect with their most powerful instrument: the embodied, emotional, and authentic voice.
One member summed it up beautifully:
“Taking the first step is the hardest, but in a space filled with encouragement, it becomes possible.”
As the Pretoria Chapter looks ahead to the final months of the year, one thing remains clear: your voice tells your story long before your words do. So use it with care.
