The first PSASA Pretoria Chapter meeting of 2026 set the tone for a year of intentional growth, smarter decisions, and stronger systems.
With energy in the room, new faces in attendance, and a powerful practical message, the chapter kicked off the year, reminding us that as speakers, we are professional problem solvers. From pricing and positioning to lead generation and time management, we all face similar questions.
The difference, as this meeting showed us, is not talent alone; it’s how we think about solving those problems. Tshegofatso Dludla – Computational Thinking for Speakers Our speaker for the evening, Tshegofatso Dludla, founder of AfriCAN Code, an organisation dedicated to empowering educators across Africa through inclusive coding and computational thinking, introduced the audience to the power of computational thinking, not as a technical concept for programmers, but as a practical framework for everyday decision-making and business growth.
At its core, computational thinking is about:
- Breaking complex problems into manageable parts
- Identifying patterns and using data to guide decisions
- Removing unnecessary complexity
- Creating simple, repeatable systems
- Testing, refining, and improving what works
Tshegofatso showed how this way of thinking can be applied directly to the speaking business, from clarifying your niche and designing problem-solving offers to building systems for lead generation, follow-up, pricing, and time management.
She shared an implementable, 7-step framework for speakers:
- Identify the real problem
- Decomposition – break the problem down
- Pattern recognition – make data-driven decisions
- Abstraction – remove the fluff
- Algorithms – create step-by-step systems
- Debug – go back and refine until it works for you
- Decide how far you’re willing to go
Her message was clear: Instead of repeatedly solving the same problem, solve it once and reuse the solution.
This is not about becoming mechanical or losing authenticity. It’s about freeing creativity by reducing overwhelm, replacing hustle with strategy, and building an intentional, scalable, and sustainable speaking business.
30-Second Elevator Pitches: Every Voice in the Room A standout feature of the evening was the 30-second elevator pitch challenge, where every member and guest had the opportunity to introduce themselves by answering four simple but powerful questions:
- Who you are
- What you do
- Who do you do it for
- And why
Thanks to Marie’s brilliant idea, the format ensured that every voice in the room was heard — including first-time guests. The energy, courage, and spontaneity in the room made this both fun and deeply valuable. The challenge continues — especially for our newest member, Anthony Peter, and we’re cheering everyone on as they refine and strengthen their personal introductions.
Voices from the Room
One of the highlights of the evening was hearing members reflect and translate the content into practical language.
Anthony Peter shared: “Tshegofatso’s talk not only expanded my thinking but also showed me that even “old school” professionals can step confidently into new digital spaces—yes, even TikTok! What a powerful message that made us wiser, exposed opportunities to change and grow, and confirmed that growth is possible for all of us.
What a night to remember. Big thanks to our Chapter President, Kakanyo Pilane, for exemplary leadership; the MC, Bruce Moyo, for bringing the energy; and the caterers for such a delicious meal too!”
Sizwe Vilakazi, attending PSASA for the first time, reflected: “My experience was amazing. I received such a warm welcome and got to engage with fellow members. I loved the challenge of the 30-second introduction; it was unprepared, everyone had to do it, and it was so much fun. I also appreciated the guidance shared about the journey of becoming a professional speaker.”
Final Reflections
January’s meeting reminded us that growth is not just about working harder and smarter; it’s about thinking better. With Tshegofatso’s powerful framework, the energy of our MC Bruce, and leadership that keeps our meetings vibrant and welcoming, the PSASA Pretoria Chapter started 2026 with momentum. Here’s to a year of smarter strategies, stronger voices, and sustainable success.
Written by:
Mahlodi Kgatle
