Eswatini teacher appointed World Speech Day Ambassador

MBABANE – Bhunya Usuthu High School Senior Teacher Nhlanhla Masilela has been appointed World Speech Day Ambassador for Eswatini.

Masilela, who has taught Languages at Bhunya Usuthu High School for 22 years, was appointed by World Speech Day Founder Simon Gibson following discussions on expanding public-speaking opportunities for young people in Eswatini.

The appointment will see Masilela representing the international movement in Eswatini while promoting opportunities for young people to develop their public-speaking skills and share their ideas and perspectives.

Masilela is also the Founder and Executive Director of Quizorate Schools Platform Eswatini, which has been formally recognised as a World Speech Day partner and has been added to the organisation’s Partners page.

World Speech Day is an international movement that celebrates public speaking and the sharing of ideas, experiences and perspectives.

The movement is celebrated through events in more than 100 countries worldwide, while its current ambassador network spans 19 African countries, including Eswatini.

Speaking on his appointment, Masilela said it presented an opportunity to further promote public speaking among young people in the country.

“This appointment gives us an opportunity to further promote public speaking among young people in Eswatini and to connect their voices with a global movement,” he said.

Masilela has been using Quizorate Schools Platform Eswatini to promote academic quizzes, public speaking and learner-development activities.

The activities are aimed at strengthening communication, critical thinking, confidence and leadership among young people.

Through the platform, learners are provided with opportunities to take part in activities that encourage them to communicate their ideas while developing skills that can assist them in their academic and personal development.

Masilela’s appointment comes after Quizorate hosted the Liberty Life Eswatini Schools Public Speaking Competition in June 2026.

The competition was held at Bhunya Community Hall under the theme: “Empowered Youth. Sustainable Future.”

Nine schools participated in the competition, with Mjingo High School emerging as the overall winner.

The competition formed part of the activities through which Quizorate has been promoting public speaking among pupils in Eswatini.

Masilela’s involvement in public-speaking activities follows his 22 years of teaching Languages at Bhunya Usuthu High School, where he has been involved in the development of young people.

His appointment as World Speech Day Ambassador is expected to create further opportunities for Eswatini pupils to participate in public-speaking activities and connect with the wider international movement.

The World Speech Day ambassador network currently includes representatives from 19 African countries, with Eswatini now included through Masilela’s appointment.

The movement provides an international platform for public speaking and the exchange of ideas, experiences and perspectives.

For Eswatini pupils, the development of public-speaking opportunities through initiatives such as the Quizorate Schools Platform is aimed at encouraging communication, confidence, critical thinking and leadership.

Masilela’s role will also connect activities being undertaken through Quizorate with the broader World Speech Day movement.

The partnership between Quizorate Schools Platform Eswatini and World Speech Day has been formally recognised, with the local platform listed among the organisation’s partners.

Masilela said the appointment provided an opportunity to connect the voices of young people in Eswatini with a global movement.

The development also follows the public-speaking competition held in June, which brought together nine schools at Bhunya Community Hall.

Mjingo High School emerged as the overall winner of the competition, which was held under the theme “Empowered Youth. Sustainable Future.”

Masilela’s appointment is expected to strengthen public-speaking opportunities for pupils in Eswatini and increase their engagement with World Speech Day activities.

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