20 August 2010
Education and public speaking once again proved to be a great catalyst for youth development at the Anglo American Young Communicator Awards (YCA) when Mati Ndhlovu of the Eastern Cape walked away with the coveted R40 000 top prize today (Friday, 20 August 2010) at the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre in Johannesburg.

The eagerly awaited announcement of Mati as the winner, led to a rumbling round of applause and reverberating elation as the excited crowd showed their appreciation for a remarkable public speaking presentation.

Having turned 18 today, Ndhlovu’s conquest triggered a joyful display as the YCA national competition race culminated after the nine provincial winners showcased their public speaking skills in front of Anglo American’s Executive Director of South Africa, Godfrey Gomwe, the Department of Education, esteemed media and the supporting members of the public.

She was part of a group of grade 11 and 12 learners who don't speak English as a first or home language, who presented their communication talents while reinforcing YCA’s 16 year legacy as a platform for future leaders.

Ndhlovu’s speech titled “Chained Freedom” was a polished presentation that left the audience in total awe of her delivery. “We are born into a world that tells us we are free. Free to live. Free to be individuals and free to fully orchestrate and shape the direction of our lives. No one mentions or perhaps, no one chooses to mention that we all live a façade and that the world has in fact lied to us all. The very world that promised us the revolutionary term “freedom” – is the world that has deceived you, me, everyone and in turn itself because today, my freedom is the very thing that imprisons me.” These inspirational words of wisdom clearly positioned Ndhlovu as the obvious winner of the competition.

After an electric contest, national finalists Siyabulela Ramba of the Western Cape was crowned the first runner-up winning a study bursary of R20,000 and R7,000 for Sea Point High School, while Engel Ngobe of Sitintile Senior Secondary of Mpumalanga was honoured as second runner-up earning a bursary of R15,000 for herself and R5,000 for her school.

National finalists Ndumiso Mngomezulu from KwaZulu Natal, Phuphu Mohlaba from Limpopo, Aisha Kholane from Gauteng, Keobakile Lenyibi from the Northern Cape, Tshepo Mabuya from the Free State, and Dineo Ratshwene from the North West, each put up a strong performance adding another R500 to the R1,000 prize money already received for winning the provincial awards.

Just over 9,000 learners have taken part in the competition since its inception in 1994 when Anglo American partnered with the Department of Education to establish a public speaking competition with the aim of fostering good presentation and oratory skills at an early age.

Emphasising the importance of nurturing young people’s public speaking skills, Gomwe said: “Anglo American has a long standing relationship with South Africa, a relationship based on a deep seated commitment to the country, with a sincere purpose on our part to not only mine safely and profitably, but to make a significant difference wherever we operate. Our commitment means that our overall actions should have a positive impact for both the people who work for us, and for the people in the communities in which we have a presence.”

He added that after many years of sustained best practice, Anglo American is in a favourable position to truly understand the positive value that can be extracted from nurturing and encouraging young talent, as well as cultivating sustained and meaningful collaborative efforts with others.

Gomwe concluded: “As such, our partnership with the Young Communicators Awards continues this trend, and is a concrete example of the rewarding results that we are gaining through working together. The end result stands before me: nine young South Africans on the threshold of a bright future, a future in which they will excel and make a difference to the world around them.”

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For further information, please contact:

South Africa
Pranill Ramchander, Media Relations
Tel: +27 (0)11 638 2592

Notes to editors:

Anglo American plc is one of the world’s largest mining companies, is headquartered in the UK and listed on the London and Johannesburg stock exchanges. Its portfolio of mining businesses spans precious metals and minerals – in which it is a global leader in both platinum and diamonds; base metals – copper and nickel; and bulk commodities – iron ore, metallurgical coal and thermal coal. Anglo American is committed to the highest standards of safety and responsibility across all its businesses and geographies and to making a sustainable difference in the development of the communities around its operations. The company’s mining operations and extensive pipeline of growth projects are located in southern Africa, South America, Australia, North America and Asia.
www.angloamerican.com