Amanda Nkuna
Nominee's Province:
Mpumalanga
Age:
28
Project Name/Description:
Helping someone find their voice can also mean they find their greater purpose. Amanda Nkuna is the founder of SpeechCraft Academy, an organisation that is helping the youth of South Africa find healing from internal pain through expressing their emotions in written and spoken words. Founded in 2023, SpeechCraft Academy invites youngsters and fledgling professionals to practise public speaking, debate and poetry, and get coached in business communication skills. Amanda came up with the idea when she realised that she often dealt with her own heavy emotions through journaling and poetry. “The idea for SpeechCraft came from realising that young people have powerful stories but often lack the confidence or platform to share them. “Before someone can speak confidently, they have to silence the inner voice that tells them they can’t,” Nkuna said. Attendees of her courses are encouraged to engage in positive self-talk and tell themselves that they have important ideas and encourage themselves to trust their own voice. The 28-year-old has established ten reading clubs in primary schools and mentored learners to success at national competitions, including Moot Court and debating challenges.
