Displaying a significant amount of talent, insight and confidence, Zinhle Novazi from the Free State stunned audiences with her rare oratory ability, and gave adjudicators no option but to crown her as this year’s top speaker at the Anglo American Young Communicator Ambassadors (YCA), held on 24 August, 2012.

The competition saw nine brilliant young speakers from across South Africa reciting eloquent and thought-provoking speeches, which captivated the sizeable crowd at Turbine Hall in Johannesburg.

The immeasurably gifted Novazi, won the judges over through her winning speech entitled ‘Generation Yolo’, meaning you only live once.

In winning, Novazi, also earned a R65 000 tertiary bursary and R15 000 for St. Michael’s Girls High. She expressed her sincere delight at beating the thousands of other talented young people who participated in YCA 2012.

“I don’t know how I should feel, my emotions are all over the place. It’s been an amazing journey and I must thank Anglo American, the Sowetan and the Department of Basic Education for this crucial platform. This has definitely empowered me,” says Novazi.

Nelisiwe Lehasa from the Eastern Cape also proved her considerable potential by earning the position of first runner-up with a delivery on ‘That day. Yesterday’. Dithlopho Makwela from North West claimed third place with an impressive and well delivered speech focusing on ‘I am who I am’.

Further, Lehasa also won a R45 000 study bursary and R10 000 for Mariazell Senior Secondary while Makwela won a R35 000 bursary and R7 000 for Zeerust Combined School.

Godfrey Gomwe, executive director of Anglo American in South Africa notes that the YCA plays a significant role in shaping the future of the country.

“The Young Communicator Ambassadors is an immensely important competition as it equips South Africa’s young people with the skills they require to become effective leaders, and create viable and long lasting careers. Subsequently, Anglo American is proud to support this worthwhile educational initiative, as it is helping to affect a widespread and positive change for the country’s communities at large.”

For 19 years, the YCA has empowered grade 11 and 12 pupils from South African public schools who do not speak English as their first language to become future leaders of stature, by furthering their proficiency in the language, and improving their communication and leadership skills. The competition is sponsored by Anglo American, and is presented in partnership with the Department of Basic Education and Sowetan.

“On behalf of Anglo American, I would like to congratulate Zinhle on her outstanding achievement in winning the Young Communicator Ambassadors, as well as all other finalists and participants in this year’s Awards.

“Undoubtedly, these exceptional young people will absorb the lessons of this invaluable experience, become forward thinking and dynamic leaders, and create a positive imprint on the world around them, moving forward,” concludes Gomwe.

For further information, please contact:

South Africa

Hulisani Rasivhaga, Media Relations
Tel: +27 (0)11 638 4401

Notes to editors:

Anglo American is one of the world’s largest mining companies, is headquartered in the UK and listed on the London and Johannesburg stock exchanges. Anglo American’s portfolio of mining businesses spans bulk commodities – iron ore and manganese, metallurgical coal and thermal coal; base metals – copper and nickel; and precious metals and minerals – in which it is a global leader in both platinum and diamonds. 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, extensive pipeline of growth projects and exploration activities span southern Africa, South America, Australia, North America, Asia and Europe. www.angloamerican.com